GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 1
"Important truths begin as outrageous, or at least uncomfortable, attacks upon the accepted
wisdom of the time."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 1
This is a proven fact that truth is the initial stage of progress. However, it is also believed that
truth always starts away from the traditions and conventions. Therefore, people consider truths as
attacks upon their beliefs, which people are following from ages. Truth also means some new
facts that are unknown to us. People do not want to deviate from the facts, which they have learnt
from their ancestors, and it is true to say that shedding ones dogmas is often difficult. They feel
that it is an attack on their wisdom.
If we look at the history of the world, we will find many examples where truth has generated
commotions in the society. Different people have different views about the existence of God, life
after death and origin of earth etc. For example, people took a long time to accept that the earth
is round. Religious leaders and clergymen opposed this idea as it was against what they were
teaching. Similarly, when Polish astronomer, Copernicus discovered that the earth goes round
the sun and not vice versa, he was opposed by churches for many years. In fact he and his
supporters were convicted for their ideas. Hence, it is very difficult to change the traditions that
are followed by majority of people.
Similarly, when Darwin gave the theory of evolution, and challenged the old ideology, he was
resisted by public. Nobody was ready to believe that apes were the ancestors of humankind.
However, it is important to accept truths, otherwise it would hinder the growth of mankind. It is
important for us to accept new ideas so as to bring out reforms in society and thus adopt new
ideologies. It would open doors for various kinds of development. One should not blindly accept
and follow old ideas or new truths. There should be enough scientific approach and explanations
for everything.
However, there might be different reasons for this kind of uncomfortable reactions against truth.
The first and the most responsible reason is the human nature. Most people will not prefer to
change their ways of life and thinking, as it is accepted and prevalent from time unknown. They
believe in what they are doing and experiencing for their whole life. The second factor is that
truths often challenge the other persons authority. In order to save their status and honor,
authoritarians oppose new ideas and truths. In getting their own way, they provoke the public.
Sometimes these reactions go violent also.
However, these days, people are becoming more open minded. They are ready to accept new
ideas. Our societies all over the world are getting more flexible and open to new truths. Hence,
new ideas and truths are accepted peacefully and there are no violent commotions.
The conclusion is that important truths, which challenge the proven wisdom, always, face
oppression. However, if these truths hold any ground, then these are accepted over a period of
time after facing trials.
GRE AWA Practice - GRE ISSUE ESSAY 2
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 2
Originality does not mean thinking something that was never thought before; it means putting
old ideas together in new ways.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 2
Originality has a different meaning for everyone. It is something new, useful, and interesting. It
is a basis for many inventions. You cannot define originality in one word or one sentence. It can
be inventing new things, innovations or just putting old ideas together to invent something new.
Originality has very vast scope; you cannot bind it with few statements. It is related to creativity.
Originality is key to success in the new developing world. It is a key factor in almost every
sector. However, you cannot restrict originality with something, which no one has thought
before. It can be using good old ideas or part of old things to create a new thing or representing
old ideas in new frames. It can be good sometimes because this way you can restore old things.
Music industry is a good example of this. These days many artists are presenting old songs with
new music instruments and new videos. In a way, they are making new generation aware of the
old cultural and musical heritage.
The quantum theory is a good example of originality depending on the old and proven facts. The
basic of quantum mechanics is Newton's old mechanics and it is full of new ideas. The new
quantum mechanics has restored the old and valuable ideas of Newton's mechanics.
Sometimes, it is one's outlook, which gives birth to new ideas. Every individual has a different
way of looking at the things. For example, everybody knows the power of steam. However,
James Watt thought about using steam in a way that nobody had thought before and invented
steam engine. His thinking differently gave birth to a new invention. Sometimes, new ideas and
inventions have no strong base. They come out without any prior evidence or old ideas.
Similarly, the idea of internet did not spring out all of a sudden. It was inspired from ARPNET
that was initially used by the army.
However, there are arguments about the level of originality. What type of inspiration is
considered original? This is an important question as there is a very thin line between getting
inspired from somebody's work and using it to create a new thing and copying somebody else's
work. In fashion industry, old fashions and styles are coming back. New designers are inventing
new fusion dresses by combining old styles with new modern look.
Therefore, one has to look for old ideas to think creatively. One has to research the old data to
understand the demand, requirement, and the trend. Then only can one make a basis for his new
process of thoughts. The value of old ideas cannot be simply ignored.
Therefore, you cannot say that originality has to be something that was never thought before. It
can be a new angle to an existing thought. Originality can be stretched human knowledge, which
gives way to new inventions. One should have the freedom to take inspiration from existing
ideas or from Nature. Thus, one can take inspiration from old work but after giving respect to the
person behind the old ideas.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 3
Laws should not be rigid or fixed. Instead, they should be flexible enough to take account of
various circumstances, times, and places.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 3
Laws are the basic principles of our day-to-day life; hence, behavior of people should not go
beyond the lines confined by laws. Laws are strong weapons to maintain peace and harmony in a
society. However, everyday and every situation can be different. You cannot generalize the
circumstances beyond a certain limit. Same is the case with laws. You cannot apply the same law
in each situation. It has to be flexible. Change and flexibility are required for growth.
In general, there are many laws. Violation of laws can have different forms. There are different
laws for different situations. However, within a particular type of crime also, the situation might
be different. Hence, while taking a decision, one has to take decisions keeping in mind
circumstances of a particular case. For example, it has to be considered whether a person has
made an offence deliberately, unintentionally, just for fun or for money.
There are many examples in history, which make you think in favor of flexibility of laws. The
latest law is one child rule in China. This law was made to control population in China.
According to this law in China, each couple can have only one child. Now after the earthquake,
the Chinese government is thinking about revising this law. Hence, as a society is growing and
developing, proper changes in laws are required. Laws have to keep pace with the changing
times.
Another example of a law changing with time is the law related to the legal heir. In ancient
times, only the oldest son or only the sons of the family had the right to the family property. As
time has progressed and women have started asking for their rights, law has changed and now all
the offspring have equal right to the family wealth. Now a days, another aspect in this context
also plays a role. That is the will of the dying person. Family wealth is distributed according to
the will of the dying person.
Similarly, you cannot give the same punishment to two persons who have killed some other
persons for different reasons. While one person might have killed for some personal gain and the
other person could have killed to save his own life. Both the situations are entirely different.
There is no doubt that fixed laws help the judges in determining whether a person is guilty or
not. However, it also forces people to follow laws, as they are afraid of punishments. It instills
the fear in their minds that if they do some wrong, they will be punished.
Finally, it can be said that there should be a balance between the two aspects. There should be a
fixed law for every crime to guide the judges and the government to install rules and regulations.
It gives the feeling of security and stability. However, at the same time, there should be
flexibility when it comes to applying the laws in different circumstances. There should be a
scope of modifying the existing and fading laws to give way to the development of the society
and justice to people.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 4
It is always an individual who is the impetus for innovation; the details may be worked out by a
team, but true innovation results from the enterprise and unique perception of an individual.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 4
There is no second thought that an individual who owns an enterprise has his own interest in the
growth of his enterprise. It is true that he has to possess a unique perception for his growth.
However, an individual cannot attain success alone without the support provided by his team. An
individual needs foundation work like research work, new methods to make an innovation etc. A
person and the members of his team usually work hand in hand to make a task successful. An
individual works as a force behind his team.
I agree with the author that there has to be a thought process behind a new innovation. A talented
individual plays an important role in innovations. In history, we have many examples that
explain the role of an individual and his persistence in the inventions of the things that have
changed our lives. New innovated ideas need courage and perception to be executed. One has to
be brave enough to take risks and undergo distress.
For example, Wright brothers invented planes. However, nobody is able to know the risk they
had taken and the way they handled the failures, they faced while working. Similarly, Bill Gates
was the thoughtful mind behind the success of software. He judged the potential of software
when the other companies like IBM were concentrating on hardware. He got the benefit and
established Microsoft. Although Microsoft was altogether his idea, he was able to make it
successful with the help of his team. Further, Microsoft has created many new software.
There is also an example of steel tycoon Laxmi Mittal, who did not leave his courage after he
failed to start his business in India. However, his persistence and enterprise made him successful
and now he is one of the most successful men in the world.
There is no doubt that an individual with foresight and talent can play a vital role in an
enterprise. However, we cannot deny the importance of teamwork. These days, there are so many
complex problems that cannot be solved by a single person. The recent Nobel Prize winners are a
group or team of three of four persons as they worked together to make new inventions. Many
companies when innovate new products, divide the whole task into small tasks and then integrate
the whole thing to achieve the final product. That way every person in the team gets a chance to
express his own unique idea. That way everybody can contribute to the enterprise. Especially, in
the field of medicine, teamwork is required. New medicines invented by a single person cannot
be used without the verifications and research done by the other scientists.
In the end, we can agree with the statement that an individual with talent and the unique quality
of enterprise can help in making new inventions and discoveries. However, when it comes to
complex problems and new researches then the need of teamwork and cooperation of team
members cannot be ignored.
GRE AWA Practice - GRE ISSUE ESSAY 5
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 5
The function of science is to reassure; the purpose of art is to upset. Therein lies the value of
each.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 5
Science and art, both play an important role in the development of humanity and society. Both of
them have unique purposes. However, you cannot say that science can only reassure and art can
only upset. Both of them can reverse their roles also.
There is no doubt of science performing the function of reassuring as each invention in science
makes our life easy. It gives us security and the feeling of comfort. For example, inventions like
telephone, automobiles, and aeroplanes have made our lives easy and comfortable. Our ancestors
had dreamt of flying like a bird, but science has made this dream come true. Similarly, the
invention of electricity, has removed many unknown and unexplained fears from our minds.
The development of medical science has played a vital role in reassuring humans. Earlier, human
beings used to wait for some miracle to be treated. However, now the most dreaded diseases can
also be treated with the help of medicines.
However, science can also upset our lives. The invention of nuclear weapons and the harmful by
products of scientific experiments have started threatening human life and the environment.
Hence, the reassuring purpose of science is failed. Moreover, man has lost his peace of mind as
with the development of science, human nature of exploring the unknown world has also grown.
With the development of technology, people have more chances and resources to explore the
huge cosmos and the solar system, which makes us upset and gives us large encouragement at
the same time. Meanwhile, all these high tech researches, atomic science, medical research are
trying to solve the old problems but initiating new puzzling thoughts.
On the other hand, art has an altogether different purpose. It is considered an activity that relaxes
our mind. However, we cannot generalize the things as it depends on the artist's state of mind
when he creates certain art piece. For example, listening to music makes you calm and
comfortable. These days yoga gurus use music therapy to treat the patients suffering with stress
related diseases. If you watch at the famous smiling painting of Mona Lisa, it brings a smile to
your face. Similarly, the famous childhood story of "The Ugly Duckling" gives a child
reassurance. The movements in classical dance give you unlimited imagination. There are also
some art pieces, which upset you. If a painting shows hunger and poverty, then surely it will
upset you. However, that is the artists' way of enlightening the society. Sometimes, the artist can
also depict his sad state of mind on the canvas or in a music piece. For example the famous
painting "Pigeon and Guernica" by Picasso shows us the feeling of his being upset.
Both art and science are important to us. There is no point defining their functions. It is difficult
as well as meaningless. Science is required for the benefit and growth of man, however, its abuse
can destroy the world. Hence, we can conclude that both science and art play both the functions
of reassuring and upsetting us in different circumstances.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 6
The study of an academic discipline alters the way we perceive the world. After studying the
discipline, we see the same world as before, but with different eyes.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 6
I strongly agree with the author's statement that education or studying a disciple can alter your
way of seeing the world. Education can change the way you perceive the world. Anyways, every
person has a different view point, hence a different way of seeing things. We can compare it with
our thought process when we are young and how it changes when we grow up. Similarly,
education changes our thought process.
For example, earlier, when man was not aware of the solar system, humankind used to consider
earth as a flat structure. However, once we studied the outer space and discovered about the solar
system, we came to know about earth being round. It was also clear after studying the solar
system that the earth is roaming around the sun and it is not the other way round. It proves that
the study of an academic discipline changes the way we recognize the world.
Similarly, in the past, our ancestors used to consider lunar and solar eclipses as the anger of gods.
However, after the development and study of natural science, people understood that these are
natural phenomena and not the curse of gods. Education unveiled many mysteries that used to
make man worried in the past. It gives us clear and true picture of things. For example, the
concept of mirage, earlier people used to be confused about mirage. However, now it is clear that
mirage is nothing but reflection of light. Still there are people who believe in ghosts and
miracles, but there number has decreased. Most of the educated people look for an explanation
for anything new. That is the foundation for new research and innovations everyday.
There is another way of understanding the point of view of the author. Different people from
different socio-economic environments perceive a situation in different manners. Education
makes us realize that the world cannot be divided in good or bad. Sometimes, the situations are
very complex and we have to change our viewpoint keeping in mind all the aspects of the
situation. For example, if something wrong happens, then two people can perceive the situation
oppositely. One person might think negatively and remorse however, another person who has
positive attitude, will try to study the situation and will try to correct it. The problems and crisis
can also sometimes work as awakening calls and as the reasons for development. Like, to know
the mysteries of day and night, stars, sun, other planets, man has studied cosmic science and this
has changed the way we used to think before.
There is also another example of Asian financial crisis. It had a very negative effect on the Asian
economy. However, this also forced people to sit back and study the financial situation. The
Asian governments took the situation in their hand to correct the financial situation. After that,
Asia has developed very fast.
Hence, it can be concluded that as time flows, our way to perceive the world changes. This is not
because the world is changing, but because our knowledge is changing. Studies let us think more
intelligently and objectively.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 7
It is possible to pass laws that control or place limits on people's behavior, but legislation cannot
reform human nature. Laws cannot change what is in people's hearts and minds.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 7
Law means a body of rules and regulations in the form of judicial opinions, or in the form of
constitutions etc. Law is used by the governing bodies to control the behavior of a society. The
functions of law vary for different societies or countries. However, legal laws are different from
the moral behavior or the traditions of societies. The laws are formed by some authorized body
like court while customs and traditions are made by the members of society. It is very important
to understand here that both the things are made to run the society smoothly.
However, I agree with the statement that although laws can place limits on people's behavior but
they cannot alter or convert people's heart. There is no second thought that very strict laws can
sometimes have negative effects on the society. Usually laws help to give a peaceful life to
people. It plays an essential role in maintaining stableness and development of society. It infuses
a fear in the public that if they do some illegal activity, they will be punished. If this fear will not
be there, then the instances of terrorism and crimes will increase that will make the life of the
members of society unstable and disturbed. Laws make our lives comfortable. Hence, it is
required to have laws that have positive impact on people's behavior.
However, in history, we have many examples where laws had negative influence on the society.
The laws made by some of the kings were so cruel and inhuman that they had bad effect on the
human nature. However, it is also true that although laws are used to make people's lives easy
and secure, laws cannot change what is in people's heart. Despite many strict and cruel laws,
feelings of hate and disobedience keep growing in the hearts of public, if the laws are not
changed according to time. Many revolutions in the history of humankind are the evidence of
this statement. Russian revolution and the freedom fight of India are the best examples of the
outcry of public against the laws and legislations of the government.
Laws should be changed according to the human nature. Hence, it is true that laws and rules
reflect the human nature but these cannot change the way people think. Although laws should not
be altered at every outcry, they should be modified according to human nature that reflects
people's minds and hearts. It is essential to make people respect laws. Otherwise, there will be
more and more instances of people not following laws. You cannot ignore the fact that some
degree of freedom is required for a balanced society. Without people obeying any law, it will be
like an empty law. Hence, the social attitude towards laws should be considered while making a
formal law. If the authorities want to use the laws to control or alter human nature, then they
have to make the laws more flexible.
Hence, it can be concluded that the laws that control or place limits on people's behavior cannot
reform human nature.
GRE AWA Practice - GRE ISSUE ESSAY 8
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 8
What most human beings really want to attain is not knowledge, but certainty. Gaining real
knowledge requires taking risks and keeping the mind open-but most people prefer to be
reassured rather than to learn the complex and often unsettling truth about anything.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 8
Everybody wants reassurance and certainty in life but it is wrong to say that most human beings
do not want knowledge. It is true that gaining knowledge requires taking risks and keeping the
mind open but at the same time, it leads to development and progress. If every person will think
on the lines of the author, then there will be no new developments and inventions. The people
who do not want to acquire knowledge also face risks in their lives. In fact, risks and uncertainty
will be there, even if a human being does not learn new things. Risks cannot be avoided in one's
life. However, it is also true that knowledge is about learning something complex. It often opens
up more questions than the solutions.
Medical professionals, lawyers, and business people have to deal with risks and uncertainties. If
a doctor will think about the risk factor, he will not be able to treat his patients. Knowledge also
brings reassurance. By acquiring knowledge about our universe, environment, and weather, we
can have forecasts of rain, thunder, and earthquakes etc. It prepares people for unwanted weather
disturbances. If a natural disaster is known to occur then the government can plan to handle it in
advance. It has some adverse effects also. Knowledge of the universe has helped us to
understand our place in the universe but also added another mystery to what existed before time
and the universe.
It is true that some systems are very complex to understand and add mystery but still they are
interesting and do attract people to research on them. Sometimes the outcomes of these
researches are very productive. For example, knowledge of SONAR, bats navigate by sonar. The
study that bats can determine how far away prey or other objects are, by using SONAR, is very
interesting. This knowledge of sonar illustrates the complexity of minds. Human beings have
used the knowledge of SONAR. Knowledge, risk, and uncertainty are the foundations for new
inventions and progress.
If a person is assured and satisfied with his life, then there is very little scope for his growth. Our
ancestors used to think about matter in very simple terms- ancient philosophers had simple
theories about the composition of matter such as matter being composed of fire, water, air, and
earth, but advanced technology has given us a more precise view of matter. Now, we have
accurate understanding of matter. We can explain chemical reactions. New atomic theory has
given birth to quantum and wave theories. However, each new discovery is also adding
complexity to the structure of matter.
Hence, the conclusion is that though human beings want reassurance and certainty in their lives,
they do require knowledge also. They want to learn about new and complex things whether it
involves taking risks. It gives them thrill also and helps them to grow. Moreover, real knowledge
also helps in making our lives more comfortable. Therefore, though knowledge is complex and
sometimes unsettling, still it is essential for the mankind.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 9
Many problems of modern society cannot be solved by laws and the legal system because moral
behavior cannot be legislated.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 9
It is true that many problems of modern society cannot be solved by laws, as moral behavior is
something for which a person has to be responsible himself. Although there are some problems
that can be solved by laws, other problems like moral behavior have to be solved by the persons
themselves.
It is a persons responsibility to judge his behavior and follow the rules formed for the welfare of
the society. Law cannot punish every person for his or her behavior. For example, to save water
or not to waste water is the moral responsibility of every member of a society. Any law cannot
punish an individual for such behavior. In the first look, it does not seem to be a big harm to the
society but in the end, he is wasting a precious thing. Similarly, the behaviors like throwing
plastic in public or spitting in public places is certainly not good behavior. Laws can do little to
stop these behaviors. However, there are countries where there are laws to punish a person who
does not behave properly in public places.
Similarly, with the invention of internet, there are more and more of cyber crimes where it is
difficult to find a witness. A person can easily hide his identity, his name, sex, address on the
internet. Hence, it becomes very difficult for law to punish the criminal. Although now a days,
lawmakers have also found the ways to identify these persons. However, here again, moral
behavior can play a role in reducing these kind of crimes.
However, we cannot underestimate the importance of laws in our life. We need laws to protect
ourselves and punish those who harm the society. Law helps in balancing the society to be more
harmonious and peaceful. Although moral behavior cannot be legislated, thorough enforcement
of a few laws can help to solve social problems to some extent. Laws teach people many things
about moral behavior and force them to follow those rules. If everyone conforms to laws, it
would be very easy for everyone to get rid of social problems.
Still, there are people who find it difficult to follow the laws. Then for these types of people,
there should be strict punishments. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to live in the society. Only
enactment of stringent laws can protect everyone in the society from the problems caused by the
non-moral behavior of a few persons.
To make our society, we have to instill good values in the society at the school and college
levels. It will help to teach the students a subject related to moral behavior in their schools and
colleges. This will help in reducing problems related to moral behavior.
Hence, although moral behavior cannot be legislated, laws have to be there to curb the problems
arising out of immoral behavior. The society and laws have to work hand-in-hand to solve the
problems of the modern society and to make our society peaceful.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 10
The way students and scholars interpret the materials they work with in their academic fields is
more a matter of personality than of training. Different interpretations come about when people
with different personalities look at exactly the same objects, facts, data, or events and see
different things.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 10
It is true that the way two people interpret two situations is entirely different. The reasons behind
this might be many. It might be their upbringing, the environment where they grew up or their
personality. However, the role of training also cannot be under rated. Training might also affect
their reaction to a situation to a little extent.
There are two aspects of this statement. People interpret the materials according to their
temperament, their mood, and their outlook. For example, an optimistic person will keep on
pushing the things unless he is close to his desired results. He will not be deterred by his failures.
While a pessimist will be easily disturbed by failure. Similarly, music can be soothing for a
music lover and can help him in relieving him from the stresses of life. However, some other
person might not like music and might consider it just a noise. Different people give different
meanings and emphasis to things that arise in their daily rituals according to their particular
interests.
However, education and training change the way people interpret things. The background and
training of a person can strongly influence how one interprets historical events involving human
affairs, statistical data, and art. I do not agree with the authors' conclusion that different
interpretations come about when people with different personalities look at exactly the same
objects, facts, data, or events and see different things. In fact, education and trainings also have
their effect on the personalities of people. People start thinking differently once they gain
knowledge on certain subjects.
For example, a student of political science may see British imperialism as one nation's quest for
power while a student of economics may see British imperialism as a strategy to gain control
over distribution of goods and resources. A sociology or anthropology student may consider it as
a way of imposing one nation's culture onto another. Hence, education and training influence the
way students and scholars interpret data. Similarly, training and educational background has a
profound role in the interpretation of art. The perception of art varies from person to person. Art
has a different meaning for a business student. He will measure an art piece for its economic
value while for a theology student, an art piece is an expression of grace in life. An artist will
look at an art piece for its brushing strokes and other fundamental things.
Personality and education or training go hand-in-hand. They affect each other. Usually a student
tries to get training in a subject, which is of his interest and matches his personality. At the same
time, training in a specific subject or knowledge on a certain topic changes the way a person
thinks and perceives the world. The point here is that people from different disciplines and
cultures might react differently in the same situations. However, we cannot segregate personality
traits and academic and practical training completely. We can conclude this statement by saying
that personality and training work together to make a person interpret data in a specific manner.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 11
"It is dangerous to trust only intelligence."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 11
Intelligence is what helps us to survive in this competitive world. Where there are limited
opportunities and unlimited number of candidates, the only way to fight it out is through
intelligence. Where a dull person does not find a place and is not recognized in the world, an
intelligence person creates a niche for himself. Therefore, it always goes to one's benefit to
polish one's intellectual skills. However, one must not mistake this with cunningness and deceit.
While intelligence is important it should not take the shape of foxiness.
An empty mind is a devil's workshop. This means that the activity of the brain is very important
to keep a healthy mind and body. It ensures that the brain is working and occupied, which keeps
all the negative vibes away. However, it is very important to keep a check on the activities of the
brain. It should be under the control of a person and not like a tame-less animal. Along with
having intellect, it is equally important for a person to be compassionate, trustworthy and loving.
While a place in the world is got with intelligence, a place in the hearts of people is got with
compassion and trust. It is only with a proper combination of both that one can truly rule the
world.
Human intelligence is unfathomable. This is the only reason why humans are superior to other
beings on earth. Humans are capable of expressing themselves, reasoning out and finding
solutions in difficult situations. The brainpower of a person can take him a long way. For
example, it is with the support of intellect that a person can get admission into the top colleges
and prestigious courses. Getting admission into such colleges is a ticket to a bright future and
successful life. This helps in establishing the person's career. Along with intelligence it is equally
important to keep the faith of others in you. We live in a society where people interact with each
other and no one can survive in isolation. It is only if this interaction is healthy that the hard
work and intellect pays off. If a doctor earns his degree by intelligence, he earns his patients with
trust and good work. That is why is not only important to work hard but also to be sincere.
If a person is a slave of his intelligence, it does not make him think about the goodwill of others.
His intelligence becomes a tool for gaining power. There is no place for compassion, trust, love
and sincerity for such a person. In turn, he is not accepted in the society. However, the days of
power may not last forever since we are a subject to destiny. With his attitude and nature he will
be left alone and will not have anyone to stand by his side in his difficult times. This is how he
will be responsible of his own fall and he will realize the importance of having a soft heart along
with brilliance.
Intelligence is therefore very important to survive in the world, but should not be the only
guiding principle of one's life. As little knowledge is dangerous, so is trusting only intelligence,
which can bring the fall of a person.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 12
"As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more complex
and more mysterious."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 12
Knowledge is the state of being enlightened. It is acquiring information and skills which help
you to understand things around you in a better way. It also helps in bringing perfection in a
person's work and life. Knowledge is gained consciously as well as unconsciously. While one
makes an effort to acquire knowledge through getting educated and becoming learned it is also
through experience that one becomes knowledgeable. It is however questionable as to why
gaining knowledge is important. As discussed earlier, it makes you understand your surroundings
better and bring perfection in your life. Things become more comprehensible and you gain
confidence. However, as a person gains more and more knowledge, it can lead to details,
complexities and mysteries, but it is only with more efforts that new study comes to light.
When a child comes into this world, he is completely ignorant and therefore is dependent on his
parents. As he grows up, he observes things around him. Slowly he gets the knowledge about
what is good and what is bad for him. It is only when he gains the knowledge of his surroundings
that he is capable of being on his own. He comes to know that by putting his hand in a fire, he
might get burnt, and by playing with sharp objects he can hurt himself. In case this does not
happen, he would remain dependent upon others all his life. Therefore, knowledge makes you
independent and practical in life.
It is with exercising one's brain and gaining knowledge that we are living in this age. Without the
knowledge of agriculture, we would not be able to produce food for ourselves, without the
knowledge of iron we would not be able to set up industries. Similarly, the knowledge of human
body and medicines helps us to keep fit and live a healthy life. Such things are basic to our life
and life is incomprehensible without them.
Apart from the basic knowledge of things, one needs to acquire specific knowledge as well. That
makes him survive in the world by making a place for himself. For example, if a person gains the
knowledge of carpentry, he can extend his knowledge to others who do not have this specific
skill and earn his living.
A person goes on acquiring information unless he is satisfied. However, there are unlimited
things unknown to man. There are a number of things that are unexplainable and accepted as
they are. It is only with the efforts of someone that we can have an explanation of these things.
We did not know anything about the universe unless it was explored. The biggest of inventions
and discoveries have been possible only by indulging in them. If we retreat our steps for the fear
of getting jumbled up in complexities, new inventions and discoveries would never be possible.
However, in the pursuit of acquiring knowledge, one must not lose ground and get lost in the
complexities. While it is important to gain knowledge, it is also important to keep your balance
and not get lost in finding solutions to mysterious and complex situations.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 13
"It is a grave mistake to theorize before one has data."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 13
Data are facts or pieces of information that help in fining out things or making decisions. We
analyze the data, study its nature in different situations and circumstances and form hypothesis
and theories based on the observation. This hypothesis becomes the basis of many inventions and
discoveries. However, if the theory is not derived from the observations of a given data, it might
be misleading and result in wrong postulates.
For any work, there is a lot of initial preparation and planning that goes in. This preparation sets
the foundation of the success of the work to be carried out. If the foundation is strong, it will help
in executing the work in a successful way. On the other hand, if we execute the task without
proper planning and preparation, we are bound to get stuck somewhere. If you are lucky you
might get another chance, but life is not all that considerate. An opportunity knocks the door but
once. Hence, it is up to us to make the best of it when it comes.
When you have no data and you trust only your imagination and foresight, you are bound to meet
with surprises. Data gives you authentic and trustable information. On the other hand, you cannot
trust your ability to foresee things since their relevance can be seen only in future. Data is like
the wheels of a vehicle which are important for it to run. Without wheels, it is a useless piece of
junk.
Let us take an example. While planning for a week long trip, you will plan beforehand and
collect all the required materials. You need to pack up things like clothes, medicines, and
sometimes even food for it. You need to think about the most suitable and convenient way of
traveling. Apart from this you need to study the place where you are traveling for its special
requirements. That means that if the place is too cold, you will need to prepare yourself for it.
Without planning, you can find yourself in a difficult position and ruin the trip. Moreover,
planning is required to be complete and not just restricted to one area. We can see how planning
goes into a small thing like a week long trip. Hence, it can be understood that preparation and
planning is vital to all the important tasks that need to be executed. This is the same as having
information and data before you begin a task.
Similarly, to take important decisions, you need to have authentic and genuine information. Let
us see the wider aspect of decision making. When a government has to make policies and laws
for its citizen, it needs to have a proper understanding of the conditions they are living in, how
many people are living in the country and how many will get affected with the change in laws. If
the statistics of a county's people shows a majority of people living under the poverty line it will
be beneficial to make policies suitable for them. Opening small scale industries, imparting free
education, giving job opportunities etc. are beneficial for such a country. However, such policies
and laws are not successful for a developed country where the people are rich and well off.
Hence, forming small-scale industries will be of no use there. It is only known with proper data
at the time of planning as to what the needs of the society are.
It can therefore be said that data, information, planning and preparation are prerequisite of any
new work at hand. Without these there is a lot left to chance which can prove to be a blunder.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 14
"Scandals-whether in politics, academia, or other area-can be useful. They focus our attention on
problems in ways that no speaker or reformer ever could."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 14
Scandals have been a part of almost every field. They involve shocking, immoral or illegal
behavior of people which is not approved of in the society. Because of their immoral nature they
raise different extreme feelings and reactions amongst people. A scandal is therefore a problem
generated in the society which becomes a concern and issue for a larger section of the society.
It is correct that we learn by making mistakes. It is only with experience of dealing with difficult
situations that a person becomes wiser and practical. The problem forces you to try all the
possible solutions and you come up with a permanent and lasting solution. Therefore, there is
increased number of chances of not repeating it again. This type of learning that comes by
actually committing mistakes lasts longer and you will never forget it. However, if you prepare
for a problem that you might face in future, you are not going to pay as much attention to it as
you pay to the existing problem.
When the problem takes shape of a scandal, there are more people involved and affected by it.
The feelings and sentiments of people are affected and finding a solution becomes all the more
difficult. It disrupts the peace, law and order of a place. It becomes very important to take control
and find a solution of such a situation. Hence it becomes the thing of utmost importance for any
leader to bring back the situation of peace and normalcy.
This task is also done by reformers and speakers. However, the difference lies in the fact that
reformers preach and spread morally and legally correct practices while in a scandal the leader
practically struggles to find a solution. It is human nature to give more importance to the existing
problems rather than prepare for a problem that you might face in future. Then comes the
question, "Is the solution found for an existing problem better than that for a problem that one
might face is future?" It may not be easy to answer this because the practicality of a solution is
seen only by practicing it. However, the work done by reformers cannot be ignored. It is but for
them that a society holds its morals and values.
We can then understand that scandals and existing problems are useful for us in a way since they
help in focusing our attention more towards the problem and its solution. However, who takes up
the responsibility of the situation? Considering that it involves a large number of people, a
solution cannot be found out unless all or the majority of people are willing to find a solution and
comply by the rules. A leader alone cannot find a permanent solution. Therefore, it depends upon
the attitude of the society as a whole to look at the scandal as a common problem and not remain
divided over it. This is where a reformer steps in. He unites people by preaching morally correct
and good values. It is only by his teachings that a change can be brought in the thinking of
people and a lasting solution be found by the authorities.
Conclusively, it can be said that the scandals definitely focus our attention towards the problems
but a solution to the problem is found only when the attitude of people concerned is reformed.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 15
"Practicality is now our great idol, which all powers and talents must serve. Anything that is not
obviously practical has little value in today's world."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 15
In today's world one has to struggle and find a place for himself. This becomes more and more
difficult due to the ever increasing competition. You have to constantly prove yourself in order to
achieve success. On the other hand, if you keep assuring yourself that you are the best without
proving your worth, there would be no one to believe your stand. In more clear terms, one has to
be practical to get noticed and achieve one's goal.
In the primitive times, there was lack of knowledge. People would easily believe what was told
to them. No one knew where the sun came from in the morning and where it went at night. They
said that the sun is moving, and earth is a flat plane. There were many myths regarding such
things and no one looked into the scientific aspect due to lack of knowledge. People made their
own beliefs from the bits and pieces of information that they had. However, with the changing of
times and spread of knowledge, the shallowness in these beliefs was exposed. Today there are no
takers of the myths and beliefs that people held in the olden times. Reality has taken over the
imaginative mind. We believe in a theory only if it proves to be true and practical.
Practicality in today's world is extended to all spheres. We accept something only if we find the
need of it and understand the logic behind it. An example in the change in thinking due to this
can be seen in the fundamental rights that Indians are granted. Earlier, a person was granted the
right to vote after he reached the age of 21. With the change in time, it was observed that
teenagers are maturing at an early stage and an 18 year old was responsible and sensible enough
to vote. It was being practical to amend the laws and make the minimum voting age as 18. Such
decisions are guided by their practical use. At the same time it would be impractical to allow a
15 year old to make decisions regarding electing his representatives since it is not practical to
rely upon his decisions.
The difference between being practical and impractical lies in actually fulfilling your dreams and
building castles in the air. A person may just dream about making it big some day and wish for
an overnight change to happen. While few have been lucky to experience such a miracle, it is not
the case in general. One has to plan and work towards reaching his goal. Practicality is in relying
upon your hard work rather than waiting for a miracle to happen.
However, there is a link between dreaming to make it big and working towards fulfilling these
dreams. While a person can fulfill his dreams only by working in reality, one sets these high
aims and goals only by dreaming. If a person does not dream and imagine the unthinkable and
remains satisfied with what he has, he can never achieve anything outstanding in his life. To be
an achiever, one has to plan for it which can only come by being a dreamer initially. Looking at
it this way, we can say that there is direct relation between success and dreaming for the success,
and one cannot negate the importance of the impractical side of it completely.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 16
"It is easy to welcome innovation and accept new ideas. What most people find difficult,
however, is accepting the way these new ideas are put into practice."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 16
Any new development requires initiative and efforts from people. Innovation and new ideas can
be put to practice only when people accept it. Although everyone favors innovation and
development, the same cannot be said about it when it comes to practicing it. To accept the
innovation, people have to accept its implications as well. While all developments are made for
the betterment of society, some of these are done at the cost of compromising somewhere else
which may not be accepted by all.
When we accept an innovation, we don't just accept the new idea behind the innovation and the
comfort that it will bring, we also have to accept the related changes that might occur due to it.
These may be certain responsibilities that we have to carry or certain ways in which our lives
maybe changed. For example, it is known to all that water is essential to all beings and we must
save every drop of it. It is highlighted everywhere in newspapers, radios etc that we should try
and save water. People are told how to save water and recycle it. We show our full support for
such a cause only till we don't have to compromise on comfort from our side. In the wake of
saving water and preventing misuse of water, the government puts restrictions on the supply of
water to households. Moreover, people are made to follow laws where they are not allowed to
wash cars and water lawns. Such policies are not accepted by people in general. We become
selfish when it comes to our personal comfort and we do not want to compromise on anything.
This is how a novel idea of saving water and preventing its misuse is not approved of by people
at large and it shows the general attitude that new ideas and changes are not accepted easily
when they are implemented.
There is another reason due to which new innovation and ideas are not easily accepted. There
maybe willingness to incorporate it but due to lack of means and supplies it might get impossible
and thus cause dissatisfaction and difficulty in acceptance. For example, with the advancement
of technology, new innovations are introduced in the world. This may be extremely beneficial for
development and upliftment of society. There might be the best of technologies that are used for
building roads, bridges and industries in the world. There are nuclear power plants and modern
warfare which every country wants to possess. However, a poor country cannot implement these
technologies despite their benefits because of the difficulties that surround it. The government
not only needs to buy these technologies from other nations but also needs funds to start the
development work. It gets difficult to arrange funds on a large scale and hence implementation of
these novel ideas gets difficult. Here also, technology is appreciated and accepted, but its
implementation gets difficult because it requires finances and technical know-how.
As seen in the above cases, new ideas and inventions may be attractive and promising, but
looking at the practical aspect of incorporating these ideas, it can get difficult and not easily
accepted. Although all innovative ideas may not be that demanding so as to be difficult to accept,
most of them are met with the same response. In order to gain from something, we have to
forego another which causes discomfort. It is human nature to feel this way, but at the same time,
no one can deny the importance of development and progress brought by these very innovations
and ideas.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 17
"Success, whether academic or professional, involves an ability to survive in a new environment
and, eventually, to change it."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 17
In the world of competition, one needs to succeed in order to survive and get noticed. Success
depends a lot on the personal satisfaction level of the person. While some people are satisfied
with their success in being able to complete their task well, for others it is important to rise above
the others and prove their worth. However, success largely comes from a person's ability of
adjusting in a new environment, and to a certain extent change it as well.
In the academic field, a student's success is in the way he adjusts to the demands of the
institution that he is studying in. It is only with this adjustment that he is able to study and learn
new skills. As a child grows up there is a constant change in the pattern of academics that he has
to follow. Moreover, his roles and responsibilities also keep changing and he can succeed only if
he realizes them and acts accordingly. If he keeps believing that he will be spoon-fed all the
study material as was done in his lower grades, he will not be able to succeed. Hence, he has to
adjust himself according to his environment. One may not be able to change the environment just
yet, but that does not mean that he is not successful.
Similarly, in the professional field as well one can find success only by adjusting and changing
according to the environment. For example, for a typist who has learnt typing on the typewriter,
there is a lot of change due to the introduction of computers. There will be very few takers for his
skills on a typewriter. However, if he adjusts to the new technology and learns the computer
well, he can extend his services to a wider range of people. Hence, he will be more successful if
he is able to handle the latest technology in his field. In this way, any professional must keep
himself aware and up-to-date with the latest changes and introductions in his field. This way
their skill will be valued, which can be termed as their success in the field. That is how in the
professional field, success involves the ability to change according to the environment.
Then comes the question, does success also involve changing the environment around you? If
yes, then how? As discussed earlier, success is largely the ability to adapt to the new changes.
However, at a certain level, one needs to rise above the rest. This is done only if he changes the
norms and follows a new path. This changing of path involves changing of the environment,
which can be counted as his success. In the academic field, where a person reaches the stage of
research and development, he can be successful by introducing new concepts and changing what
is normally accepted. Similarly, a scientist is successful if he invents a new phenomenon and
forms new theories. The laws of gravitation, the science of sun and universe etc are such
discoveries that have changed the way people think and believe. All big inventions and
innovations have been possible due to changing of the norms. This is how they have proven
successful and changed the way people live and think, or in other words, have changed the
environment.
It can thus be said that although mostly success is the ability of adapting to the environment, at a
certain level, it is the ability to change the environment as well.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 18
"If people disregard the great works of the past, it is because these works no longer answer the
needs of the present."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 18
If we study the past we will realize that there have been great discoveries and works in the past
which in today's times seem to be minuscule. While it must have been a breakthrough in the past
and the basis of many technologies being developed today, there are other important things that
overshadow its importance. However, this does not mean that the great works of the past can be
disregarded as ones having no place in today's world. These works may not be as practical today
as they have been earlier, but they still are basic to many other technologies. We would not have
been able to see the world as it is today but for these works of the past. The relevance of the
works done in past is great even today since it teaches us and helps us in further development.
Great inventions take place only by the efforts of some great minds. It is not in the capacity of all
to think and invent new things. Once a new invention comes to light, it seems to solve a lot of
problems. Along with solving problems, it helps in further study and higher inventions. It,
therefore, becomes a stepping stone for further development.
When the wheel was introduced in the world, it became the most important and useful invention.
People began using the wheel to carry loads. It also helped in making things like pots, toys etc. It
soon began to be used for commutation as well. Today there have been a lot of modifications and
developments that would have been impossible without the wheel. Had it not been invented in
the past, we would not have been as advanced as we are today and would have waited for some
great work to invent such a miraculous thing. While today we hardly wonder about this great
invention, life is unimaginable without it.
There are also some such inventions of the past which have lost their relevance today. It is true
that with the passage of time and development of newer and better things these inventions are no
longer practical. For example, in the age of e-mails, telephones and satellite connections, there
are very few who use the telegraph for communication. Today people have even forgotten about
this mode of communication. While a computer can be seen at every workplace as well as
household, people have never even seen a telegraph. However, when the telegraph was invented
by Samuel Morse, it created a revolution in the world by bringing it closer. There were no other
means of communication that could match up to the telegraph. Today, the relevance of telegraph
may has reduced but its importance and invention cannot be ignored or disregarded. Although it
is not used as often as other means of communication, the invention of a telegraph has provided a
breakthrough in the field of communication for other developments. It is only with the
development of such a thing that people came to know of communication through electric cables.
It is this thought that was developed further to make telephone cables and eventually satellite
connections to bring the world closer.
Hence, instead of disregarding a work of the past as unimportant and impractical, it should be
taken as a learning experience. Today's scientists, engineers, astronauts and doctors must take the
past as their guide. History has always been a great teacher and we not only learn from the
mistakes done by people in the past but also are guided and helped by their glorious works.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 19
"As long as people in a society are hungry or out of work or lack the basic skills needed to
survive, the use of public resources to support the arts is inappropriate-and, perhaps, even cruelwhen one considers all the potential uses of such money."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 19
Public resources are the resources that the administration uses for the betterment and
development of the society. The betterment of a society is seen when people in it are living a
satisfying and happy life, there is no hunger and poverty amongst people and everyone has a
decent job and is self-sufficient. The development of the society is also seen in its progress,
development of industries and technical know-how, improvement in the art and culture and being
internationally active and strong. While it is very important to bring up the poor and
underprivileged, it is also important to bring up the society as a whole. Hence, the use of public
resources should not be restricted to one area but must support all around development and
welfare.
The administration of the society is responsible of utilizing the public resources of the society.
However, where do these public resources come from? These are generated by the citizens of the
society itself in the form of taxes. People are made to pay taxes in return of which they are given
public services. Therefore, one thing is for sure, that these resources are used for the people only.
However, there are a number of potential uses that these resources can be put to. They can be put
to use for building up schools, hospitals, roads etc., can be used to encourage tourism, modes of
entertainment and beautification of the places. The money can also be used to buy latest warfare,
technology, machines and improve the scientific know-how. The difficult task, however, is to
allocate the required amount for them. How much money and where it should be used is the big
decision.
Welfare work like creating jobs, providing food and education for all etc are extremely important
to bring up a society. People are the building blocks of a society. It is only when the people are
living a happy life that a society can progress. Therefore, for any administration, the key issue
should be the betterment of its people. The humanitarian side of a government is seen only in its
treatment of the less fortunate by providing the basic needs of life. In a poor country like India
where there are a number of people who cannot afford their daily bread, it becomes the
government's responsibility to extend support. This should be done to help them come out of
their poverty and become self sufficient. For these people art has no meaning. A concert to
encourage painters or musicians etc. is of no use to them if they have nothing to eat. If they
continue to rot and suffer in the society, there will be no use of spending huge amounts of money
on such things and it will be the failure of the government. However, it is also true that
everything goes hand in hand. While there should be work done for the welfare of the poor, it is
equally important to support art and develop the national talent. While a common man is a
representative of the society's domestic success, art and culture is a representation of its success
in preserving its rich heritage and gaining international recognition for the same.
The solution of this problem lies in planning. Wise and judicious planning is required to allocate
money for different uses. Public resources should be used such that they are divided for all the
required purposes. Sufficient money should be allocated for welfare work along with giving due
consideration to other fields like art, and this cannot be termed as 'cruel'. The success of the
administration is in bringing harmony in the society where so many classes of people coexist.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 20
"Education should be equally devoted to enriching the personal lives of students and to training
students to be productive workers."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 20
Education is the development of all aspects of a person's personality. These could be moral,
cultural, social, academic, professional, ethical, intellectual etc. I completely agree with the
author's statement that education should be equally devoted to enriching personal lives and
training students for becoming productive workers.
The purpose of education is to make a student capable of living a self-sufficient life in a society.
While it is very important for a person to support himself and earn his living, it is also important
that he brings quality in his life with high morals, positive thinking and good knowledge of his
surroundings. If any of these is lacking, the student becomes unadjusted in the society and is not
able to live a healthy and satisfactory life. Such a situation can be seen as the failure of
education.
If the education system is devoted too much towards enriching the lives of students and ignores
to train them well to be productive workers, it is found that students do not acquire any specific
skills. Enriching the lives of the students means giving them little knowledge of all subjects.
However, it is not productive and the student becomes a jack of all trades and master of none.
Learning specific skills is vital to a person's life because it helps him to support himself as-wellas those dependent upon him. As a student passes out of school and completes his education, he
is ready to face the world independently. He cannot be independent unless he earns his own
living. For this he is required to have some professional qualification or skill that can help him to
get jobs and work efficiently. If the education that he has attained lacked any sort of professional
training, he will find that there are no takers of his services. For example, to get the job of an
engineer, a student must have the required qualification as-well-as training for the job. He must
have good knowledge of the related subjects like mathematics, physics and engine science. If he
is taught other subjects like moral science, languages, art or other subjects not concerned with
the field of an engineer, he will surely not get the job. It is only if he is trained for the job that he
can perform his duties well as-well-as win the confidence of his employers.
On the other hand, if the syllabus concentrates more on the growth of productive aspect of a
student's personality and ignores imparting value education, it will again lead to the development
of an unbalanced personality. It does train him well to perform his duties but he becomes
incapable of handling non-professional issues. There are many issues and dealings which are not
related to work. A person is required to understand and respect relations and form logical
decisions based on his own reasoning and thinking. For this it is very important for him to
understand what is right and what is wrong. This knowledge comes only if the student is
educated and taught to differentiate between different situations and decide what is best for him.
Thus, it gives us a wider perspective and exposure to the world.
Hence, a balance of extracurricular activities and professional training is required to develop an
all around personality. If it is incapable of enriching your lives or making you productive, it is
the failure of the system as a whole.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 21
"Success in any realm of life comes more often from taking chances or risks than from careful
and cautious planning."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 21
"Look before you leap". We all have heard this every time we have set out to plan something
new. What stops people from taking hasty decisions? Undeniably, it is the fear of failure that
prevents people from taking decisions without proper planning. This is because one cannot refute
the fact that one can achieve success only by careful and cautious planning. Taking chances and
risks are more likely to bring in failure and huge losses. Though it does seem that successful
people may have taken huge risks, but the percentage of people having succeeded in life as a
result of taking risks is far less as that compared to those people who have achieved success in
life as a result of well-planned ventures.
The steel barons and the shipping magnates who are among the world's richest men would have
started their businesses from a scratch. They might have taken risks while establishing their
businesses at a time when they had nothing to lose. There are examples of so many wealthy
businessmen who walked into the city of their dreams with a couple of dollars in their pockets
and later rose to positions where they became the leading businessmen of the same city. They
could have afforded to take risks when they were just starting their careers, as they were not
risking any significant amount of capital. As you start rising in life and you start expanding your
business, the feasibility of taking a risk reduces considerably as there is a lot at stake. Even if you
take a risk, it has to be carefully planned and calculated so as to allow you to fall back to your
starting point without any major financial losses. All of us know the story of some businessman
or the other who suffered a major setback because of a risk that misfired. Though the cushion for
withstanding losses is quite high as you succeed in life, nevertheless taking risks can never be
termed as a sure shot way to fame and success as the chances of a risk letting you down at the
most crucial moment are quite high.
If your aim is to succeed in your exams, then what would be the best way to achieve this aim?
Would it be better to take a risk by getting good study materials and postponing your studies
until the last month before the exams or to commence your studies well in time with whatever
materials you have in hand? If you opt for the first option, then what will be your result in the
exam if you fall sick in the month just before the exam or if the exam is held before the
scheduled date due to some reason? Would you like to invest money in buying property before
seeing it on ground or would you rather go around it thoroughly before committing your life's
savings on immovable property?
Your personal relations, job prospects, business enterprise and small day-to-day functioning
contribute to your overall success in life. None of these can improve by taking risks. A well-
planned move which has been arrived at after due deliberation and calculation of the after-effects
can assure you success in all realms of life. There are cases where you may see people who have
achieved success by taking a risk but you may never have even heard of the thousands of people
who have got lost into oblivion due to the risks that they took which led to their failure in life.
Therefore, it is always better to play safe, plan your life cautiously and actually "Look before
you leap", if you want to succeed in all realms of life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 22
"It is not the headline-making political events but the seldom-reported social transformations that
have the most lasting significance."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 22
It is up to the media to give widespread publicity to a particular type of event and maybe ignore
the other events taking place, but the bottom-line is that both political events and social events
have the most lasting significance. Politics has long held the imagination and interest of the
masses. Whenever there is any news related to political events, it is eagerly lapped up by the
masses. However, events related to social transformations are equally important. Therefore, none
of these events can undermine the significance of the other.
The political events that gain publicity may be related to the bills being passed or the elections to
the national assembly. In either of the cases, these will appear as headlines and they will be
regularly followed by the public. These events do affect the lives of people as the bills that are
implemented will have a direct effect on their daily life and the ruling party that is elected to
power will also directly affect their well being and happiness. Apart from the political events
mentioned above, there are other events like scandals involving the politicians or events
happening in the lives of people related to well-known politicians. This news also finds its way
into the national headlines. Does this news have any significance in our lives? How is the
marriage or the love-life of the President's daughter going to affect the lives of the citizens of a
country? There are events like these that are publicized to a large extent, but they have no long
lasting significance. These events will probably be forgotten the moment the politicians related
to these events are out of power.
While these political events take up all the space in the front pages of national dailies, there may
be other events taking place that are far more important. For instance, there may be an agitation
going on in some part of the country that is fighting for an environmental or educational cause or
there may be a single person spearheading a national movement to revamp the existing system
related to racial or caste discrimination. These events may not hold the interest of the citizens of
the country, as they are not publicized by the media for various reasons. One reason is that such
agitations or movements are generally against the policies of the center or state governments.
Therefore, these events are seldom reported as major events though they do find space in the
inside pages of the newspapers and they are also mentioned by the news channels. Just because
these events are not reported does not mean that they are not important. These social events will
determine how people lead their lives if the movements succeed in achieving their aim.
However, despite the low awareness about these social transformations, one cannot ignore the
fact that these events probably have a more long lasting significance than the political events that
gather more publicity. On the other hand, it is not necessary that the political events that appear
as headlines are of no significance. Barring some of the political events related to scandals, most
are directly related to the life of the common man and therefore, they also have a long lasting
significance. Hence, neither of these events has an edge over the other as far as their significance
is concerned.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 23
"The best preparation for life or a career is not learning to be competitive, but learning to be
cooperative."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 23
"Life's greatest battles don't always go to the strongest man; sooner or later the man who wins is
the man who thinks he can". An important necessity for the preparation for succeeding in life is
to have the confidence in yourself that you are bound to succeed. Without this confidence, you
cannot have the competitive spirit that will enable you to gain an edge over your competitors. Is
it possible for you to succeed in your career if you cooperate with those who are competing with
you for the next slot in the company's hierarchy? Can a business enterprise which is launching a
new product in the market cooperate with another company that is planning to launch a similar
product? It is true that cooperation is an essential requirement for success in your life and career,
but the need to be competitive exceeds the need to be cooperative when it comes to preparation
for a successful life and career. This is because the strategy for succeeding in life is largely
dependent on your ability to get into the shoes of your competitor and think of how to outrun
him.
One needs to work hard to succeed in life. The first step is to choose an appropriate career. You
will face stiff competition in all stages on your way to succeeding in your chosen career. First of
all, you will have to score high in the entrance tests or standardized tests which are essential for
securing admissions to colleges that will train you for that specific career. It is true that you will
be able to prepare well for the tests by cooperating with your friends who are preparing for the
same test. However, more than the cooperative spirit, it is the competitive spirit that will help
you to score high in the test. The feeling that you need to be better than the others is essential if
you want to score high in such tests.
If there is a company that has to pick one student from your class for a top notch job placement,
would you cooperate with your friends to help them get the job? This is highly unacceptable if
you wish to succeed in your career and life. You will need to be competitive if you want to be
the one who is selected by the company. What happens after you get a job at a company of your
choice? You will have to compete with your colleagues for doing well in your job. Cooperating
with the other employees of the company is essential for the growth of the company but as far as
your personal life and career are concerned, you will have to instill the spirit of competitiveness
in yourself for doing better than your colleagues at your place of work. You will definitely have
to prove your worth by going all out and demonstrating that you are more suited for any kind of
job-related tasks as compared to others.
It has been seen time and again that failure is inevitable if you have not prepared yourself well
for any given task. Preparing for a given task is one thing and competing with someone else for
doing well in that particular task is another thing altogether. It is absolutely necessary for you to
learn to be competitive if you want to succeed in your life and career by proving your worth to
everyone around you.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 24
"The goal of politics should not be the pursuit of an ideal, but rather the search for common
ground and reasonable consensus."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 24
What is politics? Is politics restricted to the government and the political leadership that
implements policies which affect the lives of millions of citizens? Most people consider politics
as something that is represented by corruption, competition and a race to gather votes. However,
the truth is that politics is a game of power. Certain individuals are granted the power and
authority to provide solutions to the existing conflicts in a society or an organization. Therefore,
it is not necessary that politics is limited to the government only. One can come across politics in
an organization or institution that has given its employees the empowerment to elect a group of
people to govern their functioning and also resolve their conflicts. In either case, the goal of
politics has to be the pursuit of an ideal situation or else the people in power may find it very
difficult to identify the restrictions and policies that are essential for the smooth functioning of
the country or organization.
Searching for common ground and reasonable consensus may lead to issues that remain
unresolved especially since none of the conflicting parties would like to make an adjustment to
their demands. One can see the example of an organization where the power to make undisputed
decisions lies with the boss. Even in the past, all tribes, empires and countries had leaders and
rulers who made the decisions to resolve conflicts for maintaining peace and harmony in their
reign. There was no need for them to search for common grounds and reasonable consensus.
This was because such a decision could have been cited by some party at some other time to
demand justice.
In present times, the elected governments that exist in most countries make the task of politics
much easier. It is the people who have elected the political leaders to power and they are the ones
who can change the leadership at the center if it does not come up to their expectations. The
same holds true for organizations wherein the top management has been elected by the
employees of the company. Therefore, the leadership has to carefully set an ideal goal for itself
in the form of rules, regulations and policies. They should not deviate from their ideal even if it
means losing their power. This is a major stumbling block for a majority of leaders. Who would
not like to always remain in power? Therefore, the need to arrive at a common ground or
reasonable consensus arises because all politicians try their best not to disappoint their vote bank
while resolving an issue. However, in the long run this can prove to be detrimental for the wellbeing of a nation or organization as a whole, because the society would be living in conditions
that are far from ideal and this is definitely not what was in mind while electing the leadership at
the center.
If there are two parties fighting over an environmental issue or an educational issue, how should
the matter be resolved? Should the leadership favor the solution that has been arrived at by
studying common ground or should the leadership look for what the ideal solution is in such a
scenario and implement that irrespective of the damage it does to the face-value and vote bank of
the political party? The first solution will effectively lead to the end of the disagreement between
the two parties, but the solution would be far from the ideal situation that would have been the
best for the society. The second solution would definitely disappoint one of the parties, but the
nation would gain from such a decision as it would lead the society towards an ideal situation,
but unfortunately, it might jolt the leadership out of power. Therefore, despite the heavy risks
involved, the best option for politics is to maintain a goal that is the pursuit of an ideal no matter
how expensive it might prove to be. This is because attaining such a goal will result in the
betterment of the entire society as a whole.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 25
"Technology creates more problems than it solves, and may threaten or damage the quality of
life."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 25
Technology has long been the sole reason for improving the quality of life being led by humans.
However, in recent years it has been seen that technology has succeeded in creating problems
and damaging the quality of life rather than solving problems.
Open any newspaper and scan through the daily news. There will be more than one story of a
teenager who has been led astray by the internet. The internet is indisputably one of the major
leaps that mankind has made in the field of technology. The amount of information available is
tremendous and it serves as a major resource for improving your knowledge and your career
prospects. However, the internet is more damaging than it is helpful as has been proven by the
high frequency of cyber-crimes throughout the world. This has damaged the lives of children and
teenagers to quite an extent as they have now been exposed to various aspects of life that they
would have been kept away from had they not been able to gain access to the internet. In fact,
there are a number of educational institutions and countries that have banned minors from
accessing the internet. Your personal details including those of your bank accounts are no longer
safe because of the ever-growing community of hackers who can access your personal
information from anywhere in the world. The data stored on your computer is always at risk of
being attacked by viruses, Trojan-horses, worms and spy ware which find their way into your
computer through the internet. Therefore, this is one such example where technology has
succeeded in creating more problems than solutions.
Another form of technology that has crippled the well-being and health status of people is the
advent of frozen foods. They may seem as an easy option for working couples, but these frozen
foods are detrimental to health in the long run. People living in metros have forgotten the
benefits of eating fresh meals because they have the easy option of picking up pre-cooked meals
off the shelf. Another aspect of technology that has affected the quality of life is in the
entertainment arena. Technological developments have led to the development of home
entertainment systems that keep people glued to the small screen. The advantages of going out
for long walks, meeting people in community parks and holding intelligent discussions with
others have all become a thing of the past. People prefer to stay indoors as they have these hitech devices to keep them busy. Although, apart from entertainment, television is a great source
of information and one of the best ways to keep yourself abreast of the latest happenings around
the world, one cannot refute the fact that it has degraded the quality of life as a number of people
have ended up as couch potatoes.
Didn't people have a good quality of life in the past century when technology was not as
advanced as it is today? It cannot be disputed that technology has indeed improved the living
standards of people, but the bitter truth is that it has succeeded in creating more problems for the
common man by degrading the quality of life to quite an extent.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 26
"The material progress and well-being of one country are necessarily connected to the material
progress and well-being of all other countries."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 26
Where does a country get the expertise and the inspiration to progress and provide the best living
standards to its citizens? The answer is quite obvious. We all live in a planet wherein all
countries progress by taking assistance from other countries. There is no doubt that the material
progress, welfare and well-being of a country are directly related to those of other countries. The
economic growth and development of all countries are interrelated. A country cannot be
expected to develop if it prefers to isolate itself from what is happening in the other countries.
Today all the countries of the world can easily be divided into categories depending on the level
of their material progress and well-being. The under developed countries can look forward to a
future where they are close to the developed countries in terms of their material progress by
closely interacting with them in all fields. The availability of natural resources is not the same
across the surface of the entire planet. An analysis of the growth pattern of developing countries
has shown that trade is directly related to faster growth. Developing countries carry out trade
with other countries and open up to foreign investments so as to bring in revenues for themselves
and also to move ahead on the path of progress.
All countries benefit from trading with each other for the natural resources that are available with
a particular country. For instance, the oil rich gulf countries have an economy that sustains itself
by oil trading. Could these countries have progressed if they did not interact with those countries
which were in need of oil? Moreover, the countries that do not have oil resources would have
found themselves restricted to using other sources of energy had they not interacted with the gulf
countries. Additionally, it has been seen time and again that if there is an environmental or
political problem in the gulf countries, the fuel prices across the world shoot up no matter how
far the other countries are situated from the gulf. This proves that the well-being of all countries
is related to that of the others.
It is not only the poor countries that benefit from the affluent countries. The developed countries
also stand to gain a lot by interacting with poor countries. Poor countries boast of abundant labor
which is available at very low costs. This labor can be utilized by the developed countries for
their manufacturing units and also for outsourcing their work. The poor countries have been able
to harness the power of the labor available with them to create a foothold for themselves in the
market for manufactured goods and outsourced services. This has led to a rapid increase in their
growth rate and this has been possible because there are other countries that needed this labor for
improving their own growth rate.
Among the numerous problems plaguing the undeveloped countries, a major issue is the one
related to epidemics and other health related services. Assistance from other developed countries
in the form of organizations like the WHO has assisted the third world countries in addressing
the health related issues. Additionally, a useful drug that has been developed in one country for a
particular disease is effectively utilized by all countries across the world. This would not have
been possible without the healthy interaction that exists between the countries. Therefore, there
is no doubt that the material progress and well-being of one country is directly related to those of
the other countries of the world.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 27
"Instead of encouraging conformity, society should show greater appreciation of individual
differences."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 27
It is necessary to give more importance to individual differences rather than sticking to
conformity for healthy growth and development of a society. Each individual has a different
perception about things around him. Moreover, each person has a different aptitude and expertise
for handling common day-to-day issues. Therefore, appreciating individual differences and
capabilities will lead to the overall development of society as these individual differences may
succeed in bringing to light facts, strategies and techniques that may change the face of not only
a particular society but also the entire mankind. On the other hand, there are certain norms laid
down for survival as a part of the society and one cannot allow people to break away from them
or else it would lead to the widespread growth of anarchists in the society resulting in the
creation of an environment that is inhospitable for living peacefully. Therefore, the bottom-line
is that there is a certain limit beyond which society should appreciate individual differences.
In the past, societies were rigid and supported conformist views to the extent of ostracizing
individuals who dared to think differently. However, our history is testimony to the reality that
ideas and facts that emerged from individual differences have been proved to be right and they
have actually succeeded in changing the mindset of people and their outlook towards how they
perceive the world. Take the example of the facts related to the universe and the earth. People
believed the earth to be flat. It was also staunchly believed that the sun revolves around the earth
and that the earth is at the center of the universe. It took the models created by people like
Copernicus to bring out the actual facts. However, their ideologies were fiercely opposed by
certain members of the society. As centuries went past, it was discovered by the means of
scientifically proven facts that these individuals were correct. These actual facts could have
never been brought to the notice of the society if no one was given the liberty of voicing his
personal opinion.
The conformist views of a society can be detrimental to the well-being of the society as a whole
if individual differences are not accepted and appreciated. It is necessary to give every individual
his space and give a patient hearing to his views on a subject. It is quite likely that these
individual differences will be met with resistance from people who are used to following certain
norms and way of life, but appreciating such differences will lead to a lot of good for the society
or even an organization as a whole. Suppressing the wishes and opinions of others in the society
would lead to discontent among people which may even lead to the eruption of violent protests.
Therefore, it is always better to appreciate the individual differences, understand them and try to
accommodate them into the society.
However, this does not mean that society should give a free hand to opinions that are definitely
detrimental to the health of society. Since time immemorial, race and caste have been major
problems for society. There are people who have very staunch religious beliefs and they go all
out to condemn other religions. Society cannot afford to appreciate such individual differences
by any means whatsoever. Therefore, there has to be a certain minimum laid down standard
beyond which individual differences ought to be appreciated by the society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 28
"Truly innovative ideas do not arise from groups of people, but from individuals. When groups
try to be creative, the members force each other to compromise and, as a result, creative ideas
tend to be weakened and made more conventional. Most original ideas arise from individuals
working alone."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 28
Man has stayed in groups and tribes since the Stone Age and in the present time people have
been segregated into groups based on political, religious, organizational and regional
demarcations. Man has learnt to adjust to the requirements of other men while trying to survive
with them. However, it is the inherent quality of humans that they tend to stick to their opinions
and they contest the views of others. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that a group of people will
agree with the opinions of each other. Hence, it is but natural that when it comes to thinking of
innovative ideas, it is eventually an individual who arrives at an idea which may be termed as an
important milestone of the era in which it has been thought. Even if a team has succeeded in
coming out with an innovative idea, it is the work of an individual designated as the team leader
who has successfully managed to keep the original idea close to what was originally thought of.
We all have been witness to uproars in the national assemblies over some issue or the other.
People who have been elected as leaders by us have failed to arrive at a definite conclusion
because of their difference in opinions. Most of the major innovations and inventions in history
have been the outcome of the work of individuals. Consider the invention of the light bulb or the
formulation of the theories of relativity and gravity; in each case it was the work of an
individual: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton. These scientists may have been
working with a team of researchers at a later stage in the development of their theories, but the
first idea had come to an individual. The famous 'Eureka' idea of Archimedes led to the
formulation of the Archimedes principle. Could this have happened if there was a group of
people in the same situation?
The research department of every business organization consists of a team of individuals who are
committed towards thinking of innovative ideas for improving the sales of the organization. The
innovative ideas may be related to the constitution of a new product being marketed by the
organization or the publicity campaign for the company's products. Irrespective of the number of
members in the team or group assembled for carrying out creative work, it is always the
innovative ideas and enterprise of the team leader or any one individual member of the group
that makes all the difference. If the team is left on its own, the strong undercurrents of
disagreement among the team members are bound to make them arrive at a conclusion that is
much more weak as compared to the original idea which must have been the outcome of the
thought process of an individual. There is a hierarchy system in all organizations wherein there is
a research head, which in turn is answerable to another boss and there is a final authority who is
the owner of the company. Why has this system been established? This has been done because it
is an established fact that there is the requirement of an individual who will make the final
decision. Even if the group has arrived at an innovative idea as a result of healthy discussions
there are bound to be people in the group who are going to oppose some or the other aspect of
the idea leading to weakening of the original idea.
It is a debatable issue whether this innovative thinking is the result of group thinking or
individual ideas. The latest innovations in technology are by and large arrived at by teamwork
spread over a number of years despite the fact that the first idea would have come to an
individual only. However, if it is a team which is working on a creative task, their discussions
will have to be closely monitored by a higher authority or else the innovative idea is bound to be
weakened quite unlike the case when an individual is working on the same task.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 29
"The most elusive knowledge is self-knowledge, and it is usually acquired through solitude,
rather than through interaction with others."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 29
It is true that self-knowledge is the most baffling form of knowledge. However, in order to
discuss how it can be acquired, the first step is to understand the meaning of self-knowledge. The
form of knowledge that is referred to as self-knowledge is the knowledge that someone acquires
about himself and these beliefs originate from his own thoughts. Man's thought process is mostly
governed by the environment in which he lives including the people with whom he interacts.
Therefore, whenever someone acquires self-knowledge in any form, it is always through his
interactions with other people. It cannot be acquired through solitude as he would be unable to
discuss his viewpoints and nor would he be able to see how the others are reacting to a particular
situation. Therefore, interaction amongst humans is extremely important for gaining selfknowledge.
It happens very often that you get views from others on something that is directly related to you
and these views will largely determine what you think about yourself. This is a very important
aspect of acquiring self-knowledge as it is based on gathering information about yourself from
others. For instance, if you regularly interact with people who keep praising you about your
work, then it will lead you into believing that you are good in your work. On the other hand, if
you are regularly reprimanded for the poor quality of your work, you will develop a low selfesteem as you will start believing that you actually do not have the skills or the expertise to do
your job well.
Every individual has the tendency to evaluate his own abilities when he looks at others who are
more accomplished. How many times have teenagers tried to emulate fashion models and ended
up becoming anorexic? This is because they compare themselves to others, thereby acquiring
self-knowledge about their physical appearance and personality. There are a lot of people who
assume that the appearance of their slim friends is the ideal body form and they strive to attain
that form by starving themselves. Would this have been possible if these people had never
interacted with others who were slimmer than they were? If they had been living in solitude, then
perhaps they would have never gained the self-knowledge that they needed to change their body
appearance to a form that is more fit and healthy.
There are so many times that we have thanked God for our well-being when we see others who
are living in a state of penury. This instills a positive feeling that makes people feel happy rather
than feeling unhappy during a bad phase of life. For instance, if there has been a robbery in the
neighborhood in 2-3 houses at the same time, the one who has lost the least amount of cash and
valuable assets feels that he is better off than the ones who have lost assets that are worth much
more. This lessens his grief to quite an extent, but at the same time, this would not have been
possible if the robbery had taken place in one house only as the victim would not have been able
to compare himself to the misfortunes of others. This analysis of whether your inner-self is
happy or unhappy after an event takes place is largely dependent on the state of others who were
a part of the same event. Therefore, this form of self-knowledge can only be acquired by living
with others, interacting with them and learning from their gains and losses.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 30
"The purpose of education should be to provide students with a value system, a standard, a set of
ideas-not to prepare them for a specific job."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 30
Who imparts education? It is not necessary that a child becomes educated by going to school.
Students learn from their parents, their friends and the environment in which they live in addition
to their teachers who teach them at school. When we say that a person is an educated individual,
it does not mean that he has a host of degrees; rather it means that apart from degrees he is also
aware of the social norms and standards that are acceptable for co-existence in society. This
aspect of education has to be provided either by the school curriculum or the environment in
which a student is carrying out the learning process. The purpose of education cannot be
restricted to preparing students for a specific job as this would bring down the standards of
society as a whole. Everyone would be well-trained for the career that he is pursuing, but no one
will be educated enough to conform to the standards laid down by society for peaceful coexistence in total harmony so as to allow the society to progress in the positive direction.
Is education required for preparing students for a specific job? If the answer to this questions is
'Yes', then this means that there should be no requirement of the heirs of business tycoons and
monarchy to go to regular schools. They can just be trained for handling their parental business
or monarchy and there is no need for them to acquire the form of education that all other children
of their age do. Additionally, there should be no need for their parents to imbibe in them the
knowledge that leads to their development as well-educated individuals. On the contrary, affluent
people hire personal groomers and send their children to finishing schools, so that they learn that
extra bit which their management studies or other forms of higher studies will not be able to
teach. Moreover, they also attend regular classes like all other students because the purpose of
education is to provide the students with a set of ideas that will prepare them for life in general
and not just a specific job.
It is true that you need specific training for succeeding in a specific career. For instance, you
need to pursue medical studies to become a doctor and you have to study in a management
college to become a successful business manager. However, the basic education that is provided
before these higher studies should be the same for everyone and it should be job-independent so
as to bring the citizens of a country to a common standard. As far as the job specific education
like medical studies is concerned, there should be an endeavor to prepare the curriculum matter
in such a way that the students gain knowledge that will help them to become good doctors who
conform to a given standard with an ideal set of thoughts rather than churning out doctors who
are experts in the field of medicine, but are totally ignorant about the environment around them.
Education is required to enlighten a person and change his entire thought process by making him
aware of all the aspects of life so that he is well-prepared to tackle any kind of situation. This
will be possible only if he is aware of the various aspects that form a part of the educational
curriculum including other issues that he can learn through his parents, teachers or friends.
Training a student for a specific job only would be an entire waste of time and effort as he would
be unsuitable for the other necessities of life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 31
"Unlike great thinkers and great artists, the most effective political leaders must often yield to
public opinion and abandon principle for the sake of compromise."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 31
Leaders at all levels are confronted with the question that when should they hold on to a
particular issue and when should they let it go and yield to public opinion? Great artists and
thinkers may have decided to stick to their principles as they could have easily afforded to do so.
The decisions taken by political leaders affect the entire nation and hence they have to think a lot
before choosing between compromises and sticking to their principles. There are many times in
the life of a leader when he has to decide between going in for a compromise and standing firm
on principles. Successful leaders are those who make more number of correct decisions than the
wrong ones, irrespective of whether these decisions were an outcome of a compromise or
persuasion of their principles. Therefore, the decision making strategy for political leaders is a
blend of yielding to public opinion and sticking to their principles in varying proportions.
There are unwritten rules that suggest when a political leader should ideally stand firm and when
he should be willing to compromise on an issue. A political leader can opt for a compromise
when the issue being addressed is not very critical or when the results of the compromise could
lead to major benefits for the country. At times, being unnecessarily rigid may lead to damage
that cannot be undone. The situation that arises out of this rigid attitude of political leaders may
lead to further worsening of the situation and the leaders may be forced to compromise in the end
but the administration would have already borne the damages incurred because of the rigidity of
the leaders. There might be countrywide protests and violent movements as a result of the
decisions being taken by the leadership. The dilemma increases manifold for political leaders as
a wrong decision may permanently damage their image among the masses. The decision making
process is further complicated by the correlation between popular or politically correct decisions
and the apparently harsh decisions that can bear rich dividends in the longer run. There is no
simple way of making correct decisions. It is a matter of making the correct judgment from
amongst the options available.
History provides enough examples where there were cases in which opting for a compromise
would have been a better option, while in others, a little more persuasion would have been better
so that the principles were adhered to. During World War II, Adolf Hitler refused to let his
soldiers abandon positions as he believed that soldiers should never retreat. However, later it was
realized that if he had allowed withdrawing at critical times, and then counterattacking, he could
have been more successful. We all are aware of the accusations being made against President
George W. Bush that he is making an error by pursuing his policies on Iraq. However, Winston
Churchill's uncompromising resolve during World War II was eventually justified.
Therefore, certain cases require that the political leaders step back and accept a dilution of their
principles so that the issues can be resolved in a way that is the best in the interest of the nation.
However, there may be cases where the political leaders have to stick to the principles no matter
how strong the opposition is, especially when the principle is such that abandoning it will affect
the nation drastically.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 32
"The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and
women that the society chooses as its heroes or its heroines."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 32
The character of a society is determined by the character of the people who form that society. A
society idolizes certain men and women as its heroes and heroines depending on what these
people have done for the society. These people may be politicians or they may have brought
about a radical change in the way people live in that society. Irrespective of what they have done
for the society, their characters cannot determine the character of the entire society as these
people will have their own individual characteristics that cannot reflect the characters of all the
people who are a part of that society. This is because each individual has his own perception
about the things around him and this perception shapes his character. There may be some cases
wherein people try to emulate their idols, but this does not mean that the entire society's
character can be understood by studying the character of its heroes and heroines.
The news channels and the newspapers are always following well-known people for a peep into
their personal lives. Lady Diana was adored and loved by millions of people across the world.
She was the idol of not only her country but also many other countries around the world. There
have been numerous occasions where people have maligned her name by associating her with
scandals even after her death. If these accusations are true, then do the societies that worship her
have the same character? What about the heroes and heroines who are respected and loved for
the characters that they portray in movies? It is a well known fact that the lives of models, actors
and artists are laced with scandals and controversies. Some of them are known drug-addicts and
others lead amorous lives. Does the society that idolizes these people have the same character? It
would be wrong to assume that the society has the same character as it is an accepted fact that
these people are liked for their values other than their characters. Therefore, it is not necessary
that the entire society behaves in a manner similar to the people who are loved by the masses.
Another example is that of the political leaders who have been elected by the people of a country
to lead them. If they have been elected because of their honesty and their patriotism, then does
this mean that the entire society is honest? On the contrary, what if one of the politicians is
corrupt and unscrupulous? Will this reflect the character of the people who have elected him?
The people who have elected this particular politician may be conservative, honest and Godfearing, but it is unfortunate that the true character of the politician whom they have elected as
their leader is hidden from them. Even if they can see his true form after he has already been
elected, a close examination of his character would reveal a character that would be far from that
of the society that has chosen him.
In view of the above, it can easily be concluded that the character of a society and that of the
people idolized by the society are not related in any way whatsoever. There may be some cases
wherein someone has tried to imitate the character of the person he considers a hero. However,
on the whole, the character of a society is independent of the character of the people chosen as its
heroes and heroines. In other words, the character of the heroes and heroines is not an indication
of the character of the society that has chosen them.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 33
"We learn through direct experience; to accept a theory without experiencing it is to learn
nothing at all."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 33
"Don't run or else you will fall and hurt yourself." Most of us have heard this being said by our
parents or elders whenever we went out to play as kids. Did we pay any heed to these words until
we actually fell down once and felt the pain of a wound on our knees? A child will learn the fact
that running fast may lead to his getting hurt only if he has gone through it once or else he will
probably not even remember this fact as he grows up. On the other hand, there are certain
theories that have to be accepted and learnt as they have been told to us as there is no way of
experiencing them directly. For instance, is it possible for everyone to travel into space and
experience zero gravity to learn about the theory of zero gravity in space? Therefore, the best
way to learn something is by experiencing it, but if it is not possible to provide the direct
experience for learning something, then the best alternative is to accept the theory and you will
definitely be able to learn from it by going through the experiences of others.
Learning is a process that includes practical experience as well as an analysis of facts and
figures. These facts would have been arrived at after detailed research work done by researchers
and scientists. There are numerous books and papers that describe the theory in detail. There may
a mention of the experiences of others or there may be detailed calculations and other proofs that
confirm the conclusion being stated by the theory. It is in the interest of the person learning the
theory to go over the proofs given in the theory and accept it. This is because it may not be
humanely possible to experience all theories directly. Can we directly experience the 'Big Bang'
theory that describes the birth of our solar system? On the other hand, we all can directly
experience gravity and this makes us learn the concept of gravity in a much better manner.
Reading forms a very important aspect of learning. We cannot undermine the importance of
reading in comparison to direct experience. Although, it is true that direct experience is one of
the best ways of learning a theory, the significance of reading cannot be totally ignored. Reading
and experience go hand in hand in teaching concepts to students. One can learn without direct
experience, but one cannot learn on his own without reading. Children would have experienced
that the night is dark and the day is bright, but they won't know the theory of the earth's rotation
unless they read about it from books. Therefore, gaining direct experience is secondary to
reading from books and hence if direct experience is lacking, then it does not mean that one has
not been able to learn anything.
The educational systems in most teaching establishments emphasize a lot on practical training so
as to make the process of learning easier. However, there may be certain theories and concepts
for which it may not be possible to provide direct hands-on-practice. This does not mean that the
students attending classes in these institutions are not learning anything. They will definitely be
learning a lot by reading alone. Providing direct experience may make certain concepts and
theories easier to understand, but the unavailability of direct experience does not hinder the
process of learning in any way whatsoever.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 34
"As societies all over the world have more and more access to new information, the effects on
life-long learning can only be positive."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 34
The advent of technological discoveries has made the process of accessing information very
easy. Everyone can access information related to any field by picking up books on that subject or
browsing related web sites. Access to all types of information will make people aware of the
environment around them. People will be able to gain information on all subjects and they will
be able to utilize the information gained for their own benefit. Therefore, the effects of this type
of learning will be positive to quite an extent. However, there are some side effects of the
information that is readily available for the consumption of all people irrespective of their ages.
Hence, it cannot be accepted that the effects of this life-long learning can only be positive with
no shades of negativity.
The media serves as a good source for providing information to people. It is quite true that
information given by the media percolates down to the masses and does a lot of good to the
entire society as people learn a lot from the experiences of others. However, this widespread
flow of information may have a negative effect on the young impressionable minds of teenagers.
Real stories of crime have an adverse effect on teenagers who feel that they can get easy money
by doing the same. Common information on the side-effects of drug-addiction are well-known,
but this information about usage of drugs for getting the 'state of high' instigates teenagers to try
out drugs for the first time leading to their getting 'hooked' on to drugs. Therefore, can the
learning gained from this kind of a source be termed as a positive effect on life-long learning?
The internet is a good source of information on all subjects ranging from history to medical
sciences. Apart from the official or government web sites, all web sites do not provide authentic
information. People have started resorting to the internet for treatments for common ailments.
Numerous web sites give out herbal remedies for a number of diseases. There is no dearth of web
sites on the internet that offer products which give miraculous results like height gain, weight
loss, hair growth etc. Search engines on the internet are used by one and all for looking up
information on any topic pertaining to any aspect of life. Is the information given in all these web
sites authentic? The learning attained from this kind of a source can never have a positive effect;
rather it might lead to a negative effect on learning with the web sites charging the visitors to
their sites for providing information and the visitors will be oblivious to the fact that the
information being provided is not authentic.
People tend to learn a lot by experience and by direct contact. Easy access to information is
making people go beyond the realms of traditional educational systems to enhance their
knowledge. In yesteryears people used to do extensive reading from standardized books to learn
about the world in general. However, in today's world, societies are gaining more and more
access to information and people are looking beyond authentic information for updating their
knowledge. There are numerous sources of information that are being utilized by societies, but it
is not necessary that all of them will have a positive effect on learning. It is true that any source
of information does have a positive effect in the long run. However, it cannot be refuted that
along with the positive effects, there will be a small percentage of negative effects which may
have to be ignored for the overall progress of the society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 35
"People are too quick to take action; instead they should stop to think of the possible
consequences of what they might do."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 35
"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." This is Newton's 3rd Law of Physics and it
applies to our daily life as well as it applies to the theories of Science. Whenever someone is
prompted to take an action, there is no doubt that it will be followed by a reaction. Therefore,
one has to stop to consider the various consequences before carrying out any kind of action.
There have been many times in our lives when we had to take quick decisions due to shortage of
time. Taking a decision is one thing and executing it in the form of an action is another thing
altogether, as the action will be followed by consequences that may have either a positive effect
or a negative effect. In today's world, there is a race against time to get your work done.
Everyone is in a hurry to accomplish the task at hand and this forces people to take huge risks by
taking quick actions. Despite the pressure exerted by shortage of time, it is absolutely important
to assess the subsequent consequences so that you can plan the remedial action well in advance.
This assessment of the possible consequences of a particular action will require you to spend
some time and therefore, you cannot execute an action immediately.
Consider the example of marriage which is an event that takes place in the life of every
individual. Isn't it better to contemplate on the consequences of marriage before taking the
proverbial 'plunge'? You will definitely have to consider various factors like your means of
livelihood and a place to stay which are necessary to sustain your marriage. Immediately getting
married without having thought about the consequences of marriage would lead to a disturbed
married life and you may have to actually spend more than you can afford to make both ends
meet. It is for this reason that most people postpone marriage until they are settled in life. Why
do people take such a decision? This is because they have spent time in studying the
consequences of marriage and they are aware of the problems that might come up. Therefore,
people take the necessary steps beforehand so that there are no problems once the actual action,
that is marriage, is executed.
If you find that it is high time you got yourself a family car then what would you do? Would you
just go out buy the car that your friend or neighbor has or would you rather spend some time in
selecting the model and make of the car that would be best suited for you? You may have to base
the decision of buying a car on various factors like the cost of the car and the amount of financial
loan that you can afford. You may also have to consider the amount required to be spent on the
annual maintenance of the car depending on the model of the car that you are keen on buying.
There is a chance that you will regret buying a particular type of car in a hurry if you later find
that the car demands a lot of maintenance costs or if it has a high mileage.
One cannot deny the fact that there may be many instances in our lives when we have regretted
taking a decision in a hurry. This could be because the action did not produce the results that we
had been hoping for. Therefore, one should always spend some time in studying the
consequences of taking a particular action before actually executing it on ground. This will not
only help you in making the correct decision, but you will also be well prepared for any
eventuality as you would have already catered for it when you were evaluating the consequences
of that particular action.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 36
"Rituals and ceremonies help define a culture. Without them, societies or groups of people have
a diminished sense of who they are."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 36
A particular society or a group of people at a particular place who share a common set of
knowledge and values is defined as a culture. There are numerous cultures existing in the world.
They differ from each other in the languages they use, the food habits they have, the norms
followed by them, their religions and their festivals. These constitute the cultural differences that
differentiate one culture from the other. Therefore, these cultural differences, consisting of rituals
and ceremonies, help in defining a culture. If these cultural differences did not exist, then there
would have been no differences among various cultures and the people who formed a part of a
particular culture would have been unaware of who they actually were.
Since time immemorial, man has always lived in groups and societies. Each society developed a
culture of its own by setting certain traditions, rituals and ceremonies that were followed by the
people who were a part of that society. As time passed, the societies of the world drew closer to
each other and intermingled with each other. There are people who travel to different continents
in pursuit of either education or a career. However, it has been seen that people may be living in
any part of the world but they will always celebrate festivals and carry out ceremonies that are
specific to their cultures and religions. This firmly establishes the fact that people are able to
preserve their cultures by sticking to their rituals and ceremonies.
The multi-cultural world of today makes it essential for each culture to adhere to its rituals and
ceremonies so as to bring the people of the culture together and bind them by a common thread.
This is because the intermingling of cultures has made people drift away from their cultures. A
Japanese child born and brought up in France may perhaps know more about French culture than
his own Japanese culture. However, his parents will try their level best to acquaint him with
Japanese culture even when they are living in a foreign land. This is because it is through
Japanese rituals and ceremonies that the child will come to know who he actually is.
Consider a country like the USA where there are residents who come from different countries
from across the world. How are these people differentiated from each other? How is everyone
aware of his antecedents? Are these people aware of who they really are and where their roots
lie? The answers to all these questions lie in the fact that the cultures of these people make them
different from each other and it is their culture that helps them to know who they really are. If all
the people had the same culture, then there would have been no means of differentiation between
them and the others and with the passage of time, people would have lost track of who they
initially were and where they came from.
Everyone needs an identity of his own. Can you live without a name? Similarly, each culture
needs an identity that differentiates it from other cultures of its time. The rituals and the
ceremonies of a culture help in defining that particular culture. If people do not follow the
customs and traditions of a culture, the culture will be lost as the coming generations would be
unaware of who they are.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 37
"The way people look, dress, and act reveals their attitudes and interests. You can tell much
about a society's ideas and values by observing the appearance and behavior of its people."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 37
The character and disposition of an individual can be determined by the way he dresses and
behaves. However, can the same be said about an entire society based on the behavior and
appearance of the people of that society? Although it may seem far-fetched, but studying the
behavior of the people of a society does give an insight into the ideas and values of that society.
However, one has to accept the fact that there will always be a section of the society that will not
support the values and ideas reflected by the present generation of people of that society. This
section may either support an ideology of their own or they may support values that were
instilled in them by their parents who belonged to an earlier generation. Therefore, the
mannerisms of the people of a society are not an exact indication of the values and ideas of the
entire society as a whole, but they do tell you a lot about the ideas that are supported by a
majority of the people who constitute that society.
The society in the centuries gone past was by and large conservative. This is apparent from the
way the people of the early 19th century dressed up. Take a look at the behavior and appearance
of the Englishmen of the Victorian era. Their attitude towards women reflects the values of the
society in those times when women were respected and the women carried themselves
accordingly. The behavior and appearance of men and women in the mid-20th century reflects
the ideas of the society at a time when the 'Hippie' culture was at its peak. The appearance and
behavior of that generation of people reflects the bohemian ideology of the society of those
times. However, it needs to be reiterated that it is not necessary that the entire society followed
the same principles. There may have been a section of the society that still stuck to the old
conservative ideology.
A study of the appearance and behavior of the women of the Islamic countries is a direct
reflection of their societies. These societies have a conservative attitude towards their women as
is evident by the fact that women veil their faces when they step out of their homes. At the same
time, there are countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh where there are Muslim women
who are models and actresses. Does this mean that the Muslim society is liberal in these
countries? The answer is that these Muslim societies are not as liberal as is reflected by a couple
of its women who no longer prefer to veil themselves in public. Therefore, it would be wrong to
assume the values of the entire society by studying the behavior of some of its women.
A society is characterized by much more than the behavior and appearance of its people. In some
cases, the outward appearance and behavior of its people may conceal the actual values of a
society. People may be dressing up scantily because of the weather conditions in their country.
Does it mean that the society is liberal when it comes to the lives that its people lead? It is quite
possible that the society has conservative values but its people dress up differently. On the other
hand, it is also possible that the society actually has the same values as is reflected by the
appearance and behavior of its people. Therefore, it can be concluded that although the ideas and
values of a society can generally be determined by the appearance and behavior of its people,
there may be certain cases where this rule may not hold true.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 38
"Progress is best made through discussion among people who have contrasting points of view."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 38
It is always a good thing to have a healthy discussion wherein people have contrasting points of
view. Such a discussion enables everyone participating in the discussion to address the issue
from the perspective of the others. However, can you force someone else to agree to your
viewpoint? On the contrary, how many times have you agreed with the viewpoint of the other
person or have you ever agreed that you are wrong and that the other person is right? We as
humans always try to stick to our viewpoint and rarely admit that we are wrong. Therefore, can a
discussion among people with contrasting points of view proceed in the right direction? It is true
that everyone will learn something new as he sees the issue from a different angle, but it would
be wrong to assume that such a discussion can actually lead to progress and that this would be
the best way to make progress. On the contrary, it is very rare to make progress in the right
direction when the participants of a discussion do not see eye to eye with each other on the issue
being discussed.
Consider the example of a committee that has been constituted to work out the modalities for the
implementation of a publicity campaign. What do you expect will happen if the members of the
committee have contrasting viewpoints on the method to be adopted for the publicity campaign?
If the members of the committee do not agree to a common method for the launch of the
publicity campaign, how can one expect the details of the campaign to be worked out? The
members of the committee who are of the view that spending money on advertising in the print
media is a total wastage of money will definitely oppose those who think that the print media is
as important as the television media. Each member will try his best to criticize the viewpoint of
the other members in a bid to defend his own viewpoint. The discussion can progress further
only if all members agree on a common method and then only can the other details be worked
out.
There can be no progress if the participants of the discussion stick to their viewpoints which are
in stark contrast to those of the others. Such a discussion would lead to total chaos and wastage
of time. The only solution lies in either forcing some of the participants to agree to the
viewpoints of the others or finding a solution that both parties agree to. Isn't this always the best
method to steer a discussion in a direction that will lead to progress? We have always heard of
cases wherein discussions were fruitful because the participants either agreed on an issue
unanimously or found a common ground where everyone agreed.
Whenever a discussion goes out of hand, the person chairing the discussion opts for carrying out
voting to arrive at the solution which is agreed to by a majority of the participants. This is done
because it is certain that a discussion cannot progress in the right direction if the participants
have contrasting points of view.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 39
"Most people choose a career on the basis of such pragmatic considerations as the needs of the
economy, the relative ease of finding a job, and the salary they can expect to make. Hardly
anyone is free to choose a career based on his or her natural talents or interest in a particular kind
of work."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 39
We spend a major portion of our lives working. How many people are actually happy with their
jobs? There are a lot of people who picked up careers that were far from their natural talents and
interests. Why does this happen to a majority of people? The answer is obvious. Money makes
the world go round! The perks and privileges of a job along with the respect and popularity
associated with it are the major factors that govern your choice of career. Who does not like
money flowing into his bank account and who does not want to live a comfortable life with little
or no financial constraints? Therefore, most people are bound by these restrictions that force
them to choose careers that do not hold their interests and the people may not have the necessary
talent for the careers that they choose to pursue.
The decision to choose a career based on considerations other than an interest in that kind of job
is based on several factors. A major factor is the necessity of raking in enough money to make
life comfortable for yourself and your family. Another important factor is the lack of proper
guidance. School students learn a lot from the environment around them. They easily get
impressed by popular career options like those associated with the world of glamour because not
only do these careers boast of a high income but they also provide you with fame and publicity.
Before choosing a career in films, how many people actually bother to test themselves to see if
they have a natural flair for acting or whether they actually have an interest in acting? This kind
of a career requires late working hours, lots of traveling, a fitness regime, an endless struggle to
get your first break etc. Nevertheless, people are drawn to this career just because of the glamour
and money associated with it irrespective of their interests and talents. Moreover, there are many
jobs that earn a lot of respect and therefore, they are chosen as careers by most people
irrespective of their interest for that kind of a job. Take the example of a career in medicine
which is respected by one and all. There are numerous students who prepare for the entrance
examinations to medical colleges without assessing where their interests lie.
The careers chosen by people are largely influenced by the thoughts and aspirations of their
parents. The school going children today are under a lot of pressure from their parents to do well
in life and for that they are grilled into preparing for a particular career very early in life. A
family of doctors, lawyers or businessmen would obviously want their children to become
doctors, lawyers and businessmen respectively in order to carry their businesses further. If one
such family has an only child who has a natural talent for playing basketball, would the family
allow him to choose a career in sports and let the family business go without an heir? There have
been so many instances in history when sons and daughters of politicians have joined politics,
but no one really knows if they actually had an interest in politics or whether they were forced to
join politics by their influential parents who wanted them to carry the family name ahead.
Finally, there are numerous students who are interested in fine arts or who are talented painters
and sportsmen, but their countries may not be having the necessary infrastructure to provide
them with a rewarding career in these fields. Therefore, the students are left with no other choice
but to choose a career that fulfills other criteria like a good salary and good job seeking options.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 40
"Any decision-whether made by government, by a corporation, or by an individual person-must
take into account future conditions more than present conditions."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 40
We all have been faced with a dilemma when we have to take a split-second decision and there is
no time to think about what will happen in the future. For instance, you are driving on the
highway and you see that there are less number of vehicles on the road. Would you move over to
the wrong lane in order to overtake another speeding vehicle, or would you take into account
future conditions where the number of vehicles plying on that lane may increase when you are on
the wrong side? This makes it obvious that future conditions have to be taken into account more
than the present conditions for the decisions taken to be effective and profitable in the long run.
The future holds a lot of uncertainties. Consider that there is a major project underway at a
business enterprise and a decision has to be taken regarding the best time for the launch of a new
product. How should the best time for the launch be arrived at? Should it be based on the present
market conditions or on the likely market conditions in the future? What will happen if the
product is launched after studying the present market conditions only? It is likely that a
competitor was planning to launch a similar product in the future and seeing the price of the
product launched by this company, the competitor reduces the price of its product thereby
breaking the market for the product that was launched without studying the future. Additionally,
it is likely that the government was going to impose restrictions on the import and export of
certain items thereby affecting the sale or the manufacture of the new product. If this had been
studied beforehand, then the decision to launch the product could have been postponed or the
affected items could have been procured in bulk before the restrictions were imposed. Therefore,
it can be seen that decisions taken by corporations and business organizations are largely
dependent on what the future conditions will be like.
The decisions taken by the government determine the future of an entire nation and hence they
have to be taken after due deliberation. Most of the governments across the world have always
taken major decisions after considering the future conditions more than the present conditions.
For instance, Iraq may not have been a major threat to any other nation at the time when the
decision to wage a war against Iraq was taken by the American government. However, it is a
well known fact that the American government had taken this decision by taking into account
future conditions when the weapons assumed to be possessed by Iraq could have spelled doom
for the other nations of the world.
As far as an individual is concerned, it is absolutely necessary for him to take all major decisions
depending on the future conditions. Why do people buy retirement policies wherein they have to
pay a huge chunk of money annually as installments? This is because they have planned for their
future when they will have money in their hands after they have retired from their jobs. If a
person thinks only about his present condition where he has a job and he gets a salary every
month, then he may not take the decision of investing money in a retirement plan. However,
once he takes the future conditions into account, he realizes that he needs to take a decision
regarding his savings if he wants to spend his retired life without any financial constraints.
In view of the above, it can be seen that the future conditions are far more important than the
present conditions when it comes to taking a decision and this holds true for corporations,
governments and individuals as well.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 41
If a goal is worthy, then any means taken to attain it is justifiable.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 41
There is no doubt that goals are necessary for the growth of an individual and the development of
the society. Every individual dreams to achieve his goal. However, to say that any means taken
to attain it is justifiable is not correct. There are both positive and negative aspects of this
statement. It depends on the individual whether he/she takes the positive side or the negative
side. Sometimes, based upon the distinct function of the worthy goals, it appears that any means
taken to achieve the purpose is justifiable. However, a balance is required considering the
morality factor.
It is a common accepted fact that goals provide directions to people's actions and make their
actions more purposeful. It helps in improving the conditions of human beings and the world.
Sometimes it is essential to take extreme steps in some sense; it becomes justifiable to use some
extreme tackles to gain the meaningful goal. For example, independence war of India against
British Empire. Usually wars are considered a serious loss to nations, however, this war was to
eliminate the slavery in India and for setting true democracy in India. It is also true that the
benefits of attaining the goal of this war cannot reverse the effects it had on the nation's heart and
mind. However, it cannot be ignored that it gave birth to the largest democracy of the world.
However, it cannot be said that one can use any means to achieve his goal. A very general
example is that if a person has a goal to become a millionaire then it does not mean that he can
attain his goal by any means. He cannot be allowed to rob a bank and say that his goal is now
achieved and it is justifiable. On the other hand, if the goal for an individual is to study in the
best university and if he/she works very hard to get through it and studies day and night without
any concern about what people say, then this can be called justifiable. Hence, it is difficult to
predict whether any goal, which a person is seeking, is worth. At times, maybe some measures
would lead to a side effect and even worsen the situation.
People have to take some basic moral standards into account before taking extreme measures to
fulfill their goals. In the absence of logical steps, a valuable goal loses its meaning. A worthy
goal is a purpose that would benefit the entire humanity and the society. A personal goal should
not be above the national or global cause. For example if you take the instance of cloning, it can
achieve a peerless level in the biology science. However, all the nations are very cautious to
develop this technology as cloning may lead to a chaos in ethic. Moreover, it can be misused by
terrorists. Thus, you cannot justify all means of attaining a worthy goal.
Hence, an individual should consider the means, which help to achieve a worthy goal. The result
should be materialistically as well as morally correct.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 42
Too much emphasis has been placed on the need for students to challenge the assertions of
others. In fact, the ability to compromise and work with others-that is, the ability to achieve
social harmony-should be a major goal in every school.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 42
I agree with the statement of the author that there should not be over emphasis on the students to
challenge others' works. They should work in harmony with others, but I do not agree with the
other part of the statement that the ability to compromise should be taught in every school. To
maintain peace and compromising for the same should not be their motto in life. Otherwise, they
will lose their spirit of competition. They should not be misguided by this statement of the
author. Moreover, schools have many other things to teach, they cannot make teaching
compromise their major goal. It can be a part of their teaching.
The author has mixed up two different things. Having challenges in life is very different from
achieving social harmony. This is right that students should not be forced to compete with others,
but to get motivation from the achievers is not wrong. Sometimes, students are encouraged by
watching others work. The students do need guidance to only progress in their fields. They also
need guidance to recognize their hidden talents. If they get it at the right time, they can go very
far and can do wonders. Hence, it cannot be said that there is no need for students to challenge
other's claims.
However, the teachers and parents should be careful that their push should be in its limits and
should not stress the student. There should be a good spirit of healthy competition and not the
feeling of jealousy and unethical behaviour. Otherwise, it will do the reverse and the
environment of school or institution will be polluted. It would hinder the healthy growth of
students and their minds would be maligned against each other. It may affect the social harmony
of the nation in the end. For example, if the players of a team will start competing with each
other instead of competing with the rival team then it will definitely affect their performance.
Even when playing against the rival team, they should play with good sportsmanship. They
should respect their competitors and supporters alike. Hence, their basic training should be right
and balanced.
However, at the same time, students need to learn how to compete and excel. They have to set
standards for themselves and then try to achieve them. This can be done only if they will
compete with other achievers. They cannot compromise on everything. They have to work for
their goals even if they are challenging others, but their means of achieving their goals should
not be wrong. A researcher's job is to invent new things. If he will not try to better other's work,
then there will not be any new inventions. To challenge the assertions of others is the base of
scientific researches and businesses. A business executive would be successful only if he will try
to outdo others in the same field. Moreover, the most successful businessmen also impart benefit
to society.
Hence, it can be said that although social harmony is very important, it should be taught to
students but not at the expense of their goals. Rather, they should be taught how to maintain a
balance and keep the spirit of sportsmanship.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 43
Society should identify those children who have special talents and abilities and begin training
them at an early age so that they can eventually excel in their areas of ability. Otherwise, these
talents are likely to remain undeveloped.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 43
This statement rightly states that if children with special talents get training at an early stage,
then they can do wonders in their respective fields. It is necessary to identify these children to
give them the right direction. Otherwise, if these children do not get the chance and the facilities,
they might be lost and it will be a loss to the society.
Sometimes, gifted children do not have means to develop their talents. Hence, it is the society or
government's duty to nurture their talents. It can be access to musical instruments or providing
education. If a child has a special talent in scientific facts and researches, then he needs access to
science labs. In the realms of science, especially in physics, it is important for society to pay
more attention on genius kids so that they can eventually excel in research in the future. If one
gets the facilities to grow then he might prove a prodigy for the society.
Similarly, students with outstanding talents for sports should be selected and trained separately.
It will for make sure that they show their special talents to the maximum extent. Special training
can polish a child and can produce an extraordinary athlete. The children need to be trained at an
early stage and they need special coaching to win medals. They need special coaches. If they get
the right guidance, they can smash all the previous records.
There should be special schools where students at the same level should be admitted and special
training should be provided to them. In a free academic atmosphere, students will feel motivated,
a sense of competition will be there, and it will constantly stimulate him or her to advance in the
specific areas of his interest. This facility cannot be provided by common schools.
However, giving attention to the children with special abilities should not mean neglecting other
kids. Providing facilities to specially gifted kids should not be at the expense of other children.
Giving attention to some children might divide the children into fractions, which can cause ill
effects on the delicate minds of the children. It would be undemocratic to give preference to
some kids over others. The unchosen children might feel neglected and inferior. That would lead
to childhood trouble.
The children who will get more attention and facilities might have the feeling of superiority and
they might misuse their talent and facilities to harm the society. Sometimes, parents also push
their children with special talents and affect their childhood and other times, parents simply
refuse to acknowledge their kids' special talents.
Hence, considering all these factors, it is important for the society to identify children with
special talents and to nurture them. However, they have to take care not to neglect other children.
It should not lead to social and economic disparity. A well-planned training or a talent program
will systematically train the talented child on his way to reach the full potential at an early age.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 44
The bombardment of visual images in contemporary society has the effect of making people less
able to focus clearly and extensively on a single issue over a long period of time.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 44
I completely agree with this statement that in these times, with so many things going around,
people are not able to focus clearly on a single issue over a long period of time. There are many
reasons for this.
Instant communication systems bombard people with many issues at the same time. The
transmission time of news is very less in the contemporary society. Before a person focuses on
one piece of news, he gets another piece of news. Televisions and computers play an important
role in delivering news to people. The public gets credible, current information with commentary
from news analysts along with the images. Images with the strong commentary attract people
and they keep on listening all kinds of news and fail to make up their mind. Instantaneous news
makes people react faster and then forget faster. The increased availability of open source realtime news information makes them forget the earlier news.
With advanced technology, there are so many channels that it is difficult for a person to stick to
one channel or only one source of information. In the past, there was no TV, Internet or phones.
Hence, people used to depend on the print media or radio systems to get the news of other cities
and countries. That too was not instant and with no visual presentations. People had to imagine
things on their own. They used to have discussions on the more important issues. Hence, the
issues were there in people's minds for longer periods.
There are many social, political, and environmental issues that need people's attention. However,
in these modern times, common people are very busy with their own lives. They do not have
time to ponder over a single issue. People are usually interested in issues that affect their lives,
their daily day-to-day needs. The competition in their lives is so tough that they have to work
hard for their livelihood, so there is no question of focusing on any one issue for very long. There
are so many issues to deal with that one cannot concentrate on one. Moreover, there is a
bombardment of visual images in print and electronic media whenever something happens. It
adds to the confusion. While seeing all these images, it becomes difficult to differentiate between
the important and the common issues. Every small issue is covered with so many details that
sometimes it seems more important. There are so many gory pictures that people get insensitive
towards them.
However, we cannot ignore the importance of visual images in our life. These images in media
make us more aware of our surroundings, our country, world, and even space. Media has made
our world smaller and we come to know everything about the happenings in the other countries
within minutes. Hence, although the visual images do not allow us to concentrate on one issue,
they play an important role in our lives.
In sum, we can say that it is true that due to the bombardment of visual images, people are less
able to concentrate on any single issue for longer period. However, if the electronic and print
media filter their information and give more importance to useful news, then it will be easier for
common people to focus their attention on main issues.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 45
Most important discoveries or creations are accidental: it is usually while seeking the answer to
one question that we come across the answer to another.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 45
Although there are many incidents in history where discoveries occurred by accident or it
happened while searching answers to some other problems, however, there are many other
discoveries, which were sought out purposely. Hence, we cannot generalize that most discoveries
are accidental.
The author has given this statement based on some examples from the history, but this statement
is overstated. In this statement, the author has given more importance to serendipity, which is not
correct.
However, you cannot ignore many accidental discoveries in the world. There are many examples
in history to support the author. For instance, Columbus discovered a new continent, America,
while he was on his route to find West Indies for trade. Similarly, the discovery of very
important drug, Penicillin that is one of the earliest antibiotic, by Fleming was also accidental.
There are many other anthropological examples in the history where geologists stumbled upon
important artifacts in quest to understand earth's structure. These discoveries tell them about the
previous civilizations in those places.
However, these were the cases when technology was not very advanced. Hence, there were not
many inventions, creations, and discoveries on purpose in those times. Nevertheless, that is not
the case now. These days astronomers use more powerful telescopes to discover new planets and
to know more about space. Because of these discoveries and new technology, we know so much
about our atmosphere and planet. It also helps us to know about the earth's weather in advance.
There are many planned researches by biologists to discover new medicines and new therapies
for various diseases. Most of the times, scientific discoveries are planned. Scientists research lot
for the existing facts and data before applying the information to create a new thing. Most of
these discoveries are made through a scientific approach. Drug companies have the pressure of
their customers and shareholders to avoid random pursuits. At the time of its discovery, even
importance and use of penicillin was not known. It was in 1939 that a group of scientists did
intensive research and were able to demonstrate penicillin's ability to kill infectious bacteria.
Hence, this discovery was also used after planned research.
Similarly, creations are also not baseless and instant. They are more engineered and based on the
existing knowledge. Semiconductors, internal combustion engines cannot be treated as accidental
discoveries. These are based upon the existing scientific principles. However, there might be
some discoveries whose later effects are not foreseen. For example, ARPANET was started on a
small scale as a data communication system, which was used to share data among engineers at
different universities. However, later on it got famous as Internet.
In these modern days, many companies are working in the business of creating or discovering
new things to make our lives comfortable. They hire many engineers and scholars to work on
these projects. Hence, not all the discoveries can be known as accidental. We must not give more
credit to accidental discoveries than the actual work done by scholars and researchers.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 46
In order to produce successful original work, scholars and scientists must first study the
successful work of others to learn what contributions remain to be made.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 46
As per this statement, scholars and scientists must first study the successful work of others for
their further research. It seems from this statement that this is necessary for scholars before
producing their own original work. However, this is not completely true. It is correct that a
scholar who wants to make some breakthrough in his academic career must know very well
about his field like the history of the academic realm, some landmark achievements, branches,
and new development trend about the subject. He or she should be aware of the expert comments
on the topic. If a person knows his field better, then he can build a system of his own
perspectives on what he devotes to and thus probably provide some sparkling ideas and establish
his own theory.
However, he should not depend on somebody else's work. Even though, we need some basic
guidance from our seniors, sometimes our minds abound with too many theories of a lot of
people from ancient to contemporary, domestic to abroad and we cannot think beyond that. If we
will stick to those theories and never doubt a little, we will not be able to grow. We will
definitely be conscribed in a circle built by the "greater" formers and have no new things to
explore. This way the academic profession would soon lose its vigor. Hence, one should apply
his own thoughts on the widely accepted theories whether they are scholars or the students in the
school. This kind of open mindedness is required in the field of scientific research. This will
generate new sparkling ideas and work that is more original.
For example, new emerging musicians have to learn the basic ragas to know more about music.
Then only can they make their new pieces. Similarly, previous scholars have developed new
technologies and methods and new people can learn from them and take help of these methods to
find new things. Sometimes, existing knowledge works as the base for further research. For
example, Newton's mechanic theory already existed and acted as a base for the quantum theory.
However, there are examples of some genius who had shown a sharp insight in their research
which finally led to their success when they first entered the field without systematic knowledge.
There is no doubt that scholars have to study the successful and unsuccessful cases to know
about their field. This way they learn more and they get new perspective to think differently.
They get new ideas to give direction to their work. The existing theories about their subject gives
them focus. While knowing about success stories of other people, students get encouraged and
hence there are more chances of original work.
Hence, to make achievement in their respective fields, scholars and scientists must study the
existing work but they should be firm with their own work. Certainly, they should explore and
clear their doubts about the existing facts. This way there will be more chances of original work
and hence development.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 47
In order for any work of art-whether film, literature, sculpture, or a song-to have merit, it must be
understandable to most people.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 47
The speaker claims that any work of art-whether film, literature, sculpture, or a song has merits
only if it is understandable to most people. What the author fails to realize is that popularity and
merit are two different things. This statement is controversial in this time. While the value of art
is not related to the accessibility to people, the acceptability and understandability is important to
enlighten.
However, we should agree with the writer that most of the folk art is understandable to the
common people and benefit them in many ways. It is human nature that they learn from what
they understand like fairy tales, films, music etc. Few people have interest in abstract or obscure
art works. Common people do not understand classical music but when the same is presented in
the form of songs or film music, it attracts them and gets famous. The comprehensible art works
often arouse readers' or audiences' interest or enthusiasm. Therefore, the essence whether the
creators' feeling, ideas, or values are likely imparted to receivers. A series of Harry Potter films
are an example. These movies have attracted children and adults all over the world alike due to
its recreation and understandability factor. The more understandable the work is, the more
popular it is with people and hence more is its value. There is also an example of fairy tales by a
Denmark novelist Andersen. He has used understandable and vivid interpretation, which has
influenced generations of young children in the world and even shed light on adult world.
However, at the same time, the artwork should not be only for monetary gain and lucrative and
entertaining purpose. If it is so then the writer is correct in saying that these merits lie in
popularity and understandability of art. Sometimes, the understandable artwork does well also.
For example, due to popularity of Harry Potter films, numerous audiences were attracted to
cinemas. This popularity has also benefited the author of the novel and now the audience and
readers highly value the author as one of the most valuable novelists. However, there are many
instances where several artistic works with great value cannot be understood and recognized by
contemporary people. Sometimes, even the most sensitive critics are not able to work out and
evaluate the true and actual value of the art. Therefore, it is simply not possible for the general
public to understand its value, who do not receive particular trainings and specialized
knowledge.
There are many examples where the artwork of many artists was not given due respect and
recognization when the artist was alive. People just could not recognize their value. However,
later on after their death, their work got place in the history of art. Van Gogh was a famous
painter whose work was not acknowledged by people during his lifetime. He could sell only one
of his paintings at a low price all over his career. However, decades later, people began to
recognize the value of his paintings. Recently, two of his paintings have broken all records as
they were sold at a price of 50 million dollars in an exhibition.
In the end, it can be said that people's opinion may or may not influence the price and popularity
of a certain artwork but it cannot change its merit.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 48
Now that computer technology has made possible the rapid accessing of large amounts of factual
information, people are less likely than ever to think deeply or originally. They feel unable to
compete with-much less contribute to-the quantity of information that is now available
electronically.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 48
This statement relies on the fact that computer technology can provide large amount of
information very rapidly. According to the author, it is affecting people as they have stopped to
think originally and deeply as they used to do earlier as all the information is already available
on the computer. However, this is not completely true.
There is no doubt that people today have access to computers and they can gain all the
information through information technology. With the emergence of new communication
technology, every field has been enriched by additional forms of knowledge and interaction.
Computer networks and the Internet give rise to especially profound and far-reaching
modifications by affecting conventional terminologies. They give rise to foundations on which
all the information has been erected. This is because interconnected computers are prone to
support almost any type of technically mediated human communication.
However, people are not forced to use computers. They could apply their own knowledge and
can gather their information. They can take the help of the available information on the internet
to think creatively. However, people learn from the person they know and whose views they
share rather than from an unknown and unseen person. Moreover, too much information
available on the internet can cause information overload and can prove unproductive.
However, we cannot discard the facility of information technology that we have in modern times.
All this information, which is otherwise not available to people, can be accessible in minutes. It
can give birth to new ideas and thoughts. Therefore, to say that because of this information,
people are less likely than ever to think deeply or originally is wrong. People can share theirs
ideas and opinions with the people on the other side of the Earth through online message boards.
They can develop new thoughts through dialogue in ways that is not possible without an
electronic information system. Hence, there is no point getting worried with so much
information.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the author's view that people feel unable to cope with so
much of information available on the internet. They do not feel like contributing to already
existing information. However, they should not think like this. Knowledge has no bounds. The
amount of knowledge that one can share is infinite and one can always contribute to it. With
sharing, knowledge always increases and internet is a good and easy way of sharing knowledge.
Increase in knowledge makes a person confident and encourages him to learn more and impart
his knowledge to others also. Computer technology serves an ultimate purpose, hence, one
should use it to learn new things and should be directed towards enabling a person to self-learn.
It can teach a person about the world.
Hence, it is wrong not to appreciate the benefits of the new computer technology and discard it
altogether; rather, one should learn to make good use of the information provided by it.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 49
The increase in knowledge is forcing people to specialize. As a result, the distance between
fields of specialization has become so vast that specialists in different areas are rarely able to
influence each other.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 49
The issue is based on a topic that raises several related questions like what does it mean to be a
generalist or a specialist and how they are related? And whether we need more specialists or
generalists.
In earlier times, there were very few specialists. Graduation degree was considered all in all.
Architects, doctors, engineers, all were considered masters in their fields merely on the basis of
graduation degrees. We have examples of many successful persons who did not have any
suitable degree in their fields; still they managed to be successful. For example, Shakespeare was
a great writer, whose works we read at schools and colleges but he did not have any formal
degree in literature. Similar is the case of Dhirubhai Ambani who is the name behind the success
of India's largest private sector company, Reliance India Limited. He was not even a graduate.
However, scenarios have changed today. Post graduation is common today in every field. More
and more people prefer to go for their post graduation and even further. They want to keep pace
with the growing radius of knowledge. With the astounding pace of science's development, the
radius of our knowledge has greatly enlarged. With that, the areas, which are still unexplored,
have also distended. It is not possible for a person with general education to explore unidentified
and deep areas. It requires specialists to engage themselves into different directions of research
and this eventually causes their specializations too faraway from each other. In earlier days,
people were not able to distinguish between the doctors for different illnesses. They just needed a
doctor to solve their problem and to treat them. However, today the scenario is very different.
There are specialist doctors for each part of the body. In fact, for one part also there exist
specialists for different ailments. A heart specialist will not touch a patient with kidney disease.
Even, they will not be ready to treat a patient suffering with simple fever.
However, different specialists in the same field have to work together. Hence, somewhere they
are influenced by each other's work. Everything is intertwined with each other to some extent,
and it is the same case with specialized researches. For example, specialist doctors have to
consult other doctors also before treating a patient to rule out complications. Similarly, in the
breathtaking program to depict the blueprint of human being's genetic makeup, specialization in
computer and biology have to cooperate with each other. However distinct and faraway they are
from each other, when they put their work into application, their purpose is absolutely the same:
to contribute to the welfare of society and us human beings. Success cannot be achieved in
isolation. One needs other people's help also. Hence, many people from different fields of
physics, engineering, chemistry etc work together at NASA to make a project successful.
Hence, although the increase in knowledge is forcing people to specialize, it is for the betterment
and development of the society. There is no doubt that the distance between fields of
specialization has become very vast, still they influence each other, and thus influence their
orientation when they are still at the minds of scientists and thinkers.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 50
The chief benefit of the study of history is to break down the illusion that people in one period of
time are significantly different from people who lived at any other time in history.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 50
This statement is difficult to discuss. The significance of the study of history cannot be discussed
in few words. It would be naive to say that the chief benefit of the study of history is to break
down the illusion that people in one period of time are significantly different from people who
lived at any other time in history. However, during the process of studying history, people do
realize that they actually share much in common with their ancestors, in spite of various
superficial differences.
During the study of history, people find that the life styles of people are variable from one period
to the other. However, some basic human nature always remains the same. In the earlier times,
people mainly depended on pigeons and then letters to correspond with others, while in modern
times with the advanced technology, Internet, telephone, television, automobile are the main
methods for us to communicate with others. They used to travel from one place to other on
horses and camels. It is but natural that as the technology changes, there come changes in the
lifestyles of people.
However, no matter in which period one lives, some values and merits always remain the same
and get appreciated by people of that period. No matter how many changes our society has
experienced, some characteristics such as bravery, self-discipline, righteousness, fidelity to
friends, family and nations, spirit of never giving up, altruism are still praised by people. Also,
people's pursuit for truth and beauty remains the same. The spirit behind gaining the knowledge
and searching for new things also remains the same. The main purpose to do research and the
methods used might be different but they are all aimed to come closer to truth. For example, the
doctrines of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are different and incompatible to each other but the
spirit of pursuing the truth has passed down from one to another.
Similarly, people use different art forms to express their feelings. The form of art might be
different in different periods. However, the essence behind all the art forms is the same, which is
longing for beauty. More or less, modern theories, technologies, or conceptions cannot avoid
being influenced by their predecessors, and, consequently, they inherit merits and demerits of the
past and establish themselves finally.
The study of history benefits human beings in many ways like it can help us avoid the same
mistakes as our predecessors did. Some mistakes of our ancestors were disastrous for humanity
and societies. In order to ensure the smooth movement of our society it is must to avoid those
mistakes. For instance, the Second World War was the worst thing that happened to our society
and it is necessary to ensure that this kind of mistake never happens again.
Hence, from the perspective of life styles of different people are different from each other.
However, there are many other aspects in which people in any period of time are quite the same.
Therefore, the chief benefit of studying history is not to break any illusion but to learn from the
past and to avoid the mistakes done by people in the past.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 51
"Learning for learning's sake is an outdated concept. Today, education must serve an ulterior
purpose and be directed toward clear goals."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 51
Education has a purpose. It helps in the development of the all around personality of a person.
Along with helping a person to achieve his goals in life it prepares him to adjust in the world. For
this purpose, the curriculum includes a number of subjects that may not find any direct place in
the path of fulfilling the goals of a person's life. However, it is important to widen one's
knowledge. I hold the view that learning for learning's sake may be an outdated concept due to
its non-practicality, but it is the only way a person remains an all-rounder. Education should not
be directed towards just a particular goal but it should impart knowledge to develop a person's
mind and personality as a whole.
The concept of learning for learning's sake does not hold a lot of meaning in today's world
because of the attitude of people. Learning is not looked upon as a means of increasing one's
knowledge and awareness. It is instead sought as a means of advancing one's career and future
prospects. However, according to me, the primary function of education is to make a person
capable of understanding what he sees around him and identifying what is right and what is
wrong, while preparing him for a career and specific goal can be seen as its secondary function.
For anyone it is very important to be self sufficient and satisfied in life. This comes from being
independent and having a sound source of income. For this, a person must acquire some skills or
competence, which is valued in the world. That is why education imparts the knowledge of a
specific subject in order to train a person to use this knowledge for his future. However, at the
same time, a person will be able to lead a balanced and active social life only if he is aware of the
world around him. That is why it should be the endeavor of everyone to gain as much knowledge
as possible along with acquiring professional proficiency.
Many students can be seen cribbing when they have to study a wide range of subjects. It is felt
that a lot of subjects are useless and are not going to help in any way in the future. However,
every subject you learn bears an imprint on your intellect. It may be true that this learning is of
no direct use in achieving your goals, but what one does not realize is that indirectly a person is
increasing his skills. It is learning for learning's sake that indirectly helps in building up
confidence, problem-solving skills, experience, awareness and knowledge, besides making a
person learned. It may not help in achieving your goals directly but it is the learning that is put to
use in the course of work and in dealing and handling a number of related issues. It provides you
an extra edge over others to have the experience and awareness that this leaning provides. This is
the age of competition and one has to exhibit his learning along with his skills to prove himself.
While skills can be acquired by the required training, learning is a continuous process. Apart
from the education system that must impart this learning, it should be the attitude of a person to
learn about anything new that a person comes across. This attitude and habit of learning comes
only when the education system takes up the responsibility of imparting a wide range of
knowledge amongst students.
Hence, it can be concluded that learning for learning's sake is what contributes in making a
person cosmopolitan and adjusting in different situations. The more learned a person is, the more
he is sought by others. Education should, therefore, not only be directed to clear goals but must
impart general knowledge as well.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 52
"Education is primarily a personal matter; it has little to do with school or college."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 52
It is said that home is the first school of a child. It is at his home that he learns his first lessons of
life. As he grows up, he comes in contact with the society which teaches him how to interact
with others. After a certain stage, formal education of the child begins in schools. Schools and
colleges are responsible for his educational and professional growth. While education is a
continuous process and is a personal matter, I believe that schools or colleges have an equally
important role. We cannot defy this role and say that education has little to do with a school or
college. Without these institutions, our society would have a different shape all together.
Education is a non-stop and continuous process. This means that it does not begin only after one
joins school or come to an end with the end of school or college. It continues even when one
leaves the school since a person is always learning something or the other. This learning can be
direct or indirect. When a person makes efforts to acquire knowledge and learn new things it
adds to his education. On the other hand, indirect learning comes from his various experiences in
day-to-day life. In this case, education is a personal matter. It is independent of any school or
college. For example, if a child gets burnt by touching fire he will learn that fire is hot. Similarly,
a person will learn the tricks of the trade only by practice and experience. A potter cannot make
good pots without learning and practicing the art. It is through this education, that comes with
experience, that we learn about our environment and the world. While a lot of this education
comes without any extra effort done by us, there is a lot that depends upon the attitude of a
person. Only if a person is inquisitive and ready to learn new things will he be able to increase
his knowledge. Therefore, even when formal education stops, it does not put an end to a person's
education. It is completely in the hands of a person to educate himself as much as he wants and
that is why it is said that education is primarily a personal matter.
On the other hand, schools and colleges are the bodies responsible to make a society educated.
Schools and colleges have a definite goal to achieve. All their activities are centered on
developing the child into a well-balanced personality by imparting knowledge of different fields.
This is a direct form of education where students are taught by experienced and learned teachers.
The future of a country depends upon the education of its people. Only if the new generation is
given the right education at the right time will it be able to take up the responsibility in the
future. Apart from the society, the school and college a person attends have a great impact on his
life and future. The career and profession followed by a person is greatly decided by his
education. Needless to say, this education can be sought only in some educational institution. It
is in these institutions that students can study, perform experiments and practicals, learn from
their teachers and friends and get their degrees. This is not possible at a personal level.
Without schools and colleges, our society would not have been as civilized and educated as it is
today. It is only these educational institutions that take up the responsibility of giving basic as
well as professional education to people and bring awareness in the society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 53
"Censorship is rarely, if ever, justified."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 53
Censorship is the act of criticizing something publicly because of its nature. On one hand, we are
given the freedom of speech and expression and on the other hand, the censor boards that are set
up to curb the information or put restrictions over the details meant for public take this freedom
away. However, I disagree with the given statement that censorship is hardly ever justified. I
believe that though it is undemocratic, censorship is justified as long as it is in general public
interest.
We live in a society where people come from different backgrounds, religions, ethnic groups,
casts and classes. What is acceptable in one class may not be acceptable to another class.
Therefore, if an issue arises which is against the ideals of a particular class, it can arouse public
ire. Sometimes this anger can take the shape of hooliganism and riots. Hence, it is best to put
restrictions on the issue so that it is not made public. It is only with some checks and controls
that all these classes can co-exist in harmony.
For example, when the media handles an issue, it has the freedom of speech and expression. The
media persons and reporters have the right to put their point of view across to everyone.
However, in the process of reporting any issue, the media also should not hurt the sentiments or
feelings of any particular class or of people in general. It is possible that some such pictures are
depicted on the television or some comments are published that arouse the anger of people. It is
true that these pictures and comments show the reality but they are not in the favour of general
peace and harmony. Such truth that can create a mob out of a group of people should be curtailed
from being given out in the public by the means of censorship.
Let's take another example. A child can be molded to direction in his tender age. He gets affected
by many things that he sees and hears. Therefore, if he is exposed to violent and action packed
movies it can have a perverse affect on his mind and eventually on his attitude. In this case, it
becomes very important to censor the movies as well as cartoons that depict aggressive behavior
for children. While parents have a duty to put restrictions at a personal level, the censor board
should keep a general check to restrict the screening of such movies for kids under a certain age
group.
The media, writers, leaders as well as youth icons have a great influence on the public.
Everything they say or do creates ripples amongst people. They, therefore, have an added
responsibility of maintaining peace and harmony in the society. If they do something that is not
accepted by people, it can create disturbance and chaos. That is why censorship is required over
literary works, movies, and other things involved with these people to keep a check and control
their behavior that can affect the public. It is correct that what they do in their life is their
personal matter but they are not given the right to hurt the sentiments and feelings of others. It
can be argued that censorship is against the right of people to be informed but it is necessary, to a
great extent, for the development of a healthy society. It should not be used arbitrarily, but must
be practiced at places that can cause harm to the society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 54
"People often look for similarities, even between very different things, and even when it is
unhelpful or harmful to do so. Instead, a thing should be considered on its own terms; we should
avoid the tendency to compare it to something else."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 54
It is human nature to draw comparisons. What is applicable to one thing is tested for its
applicability on other things as well. We look for similarities between different things for our
own sake. By doing this, we think that things can be easily understood. However, I think that
everything should be judged independently so that its real nature comes out. Generalizing and
comparisons are helpful only to a certain extent. If it is pulled too far, the beauty of individuality
is lost.
Some of this nature of comparison comes from ignorance and some of it depends upon the nature
and attitude of a person. If a person is not educated enough, he will not know the difference
between two things. He will act according to what he thinks best. The consequences may be
harmful but he is unaware of the facts. On the other hand, it is a person's attitude to close his
eyes to the reality and generalize different things for the sake of convenience.
Generalizing surely makes things easier and quicker. In science, the same formula is true for
different data. However, this cannot be extended to every field. As is seen in history, each
political situation needs to be handled differently. In case of an attack from a foreign power, it is
not advisable to take the plunge without thinking. We can find proof in history where a similar
decision taken at two different points of time has proved fatal for dynasties. While two situations
of war may look similar, the decision regarding fighting the enemy depends upon many things
like the existing army, warfare, resources etc. Rulers, who have simply neglected these issues to
fight the enemy, just because they have been guided by similar situations, have been defeated or
killed. On the other hand, there have been rulers who extend a message of peace and truce, agree
for an alliance, adopt a new technique of warfare, admit submission or take such a decision
according to the delicacy of the situation. Such a decision that weighs the situation is lasting and
effective. There are more chances of survival and success for such a ruler.
We form comparisons to make things simpler for us. It is seen that people not only compare two
similar things but also something that is completely different from one another. We turn a blind
eye to the differences and treat everything in the same way. Let us take another example. As we
know, each child is different. There is difference in aptitude, nature, talent, grasping power and
behaviour. However, if all children are taught in the same manner ignoring their individuality, it
will not do them any good. A slow learner cannot grasp as well as a fast learner can. He needs
special attention and more guidance than others do. If this is ignored and he is expected to
perform as well as others, the child will soon lose interest in the things he studies. Similarly,
children have different interests. It is important to bring up these interests by identifying and
encouraging them. It is only if the individuality of a person is respected that he develops a wellbalanced and all-around personality.
Conclusively, it can be said that each situation demands attention. While generalization and
comparisons can be made for good in certain cases, they cannot be extended to every field.
Doing so will only cause harm and therefore the individuality of a thing should be maintained
and it should be taken in its own terms.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 55
"People are mistaken when they assume that the problems they confront are more complex and
challenging than the problems faced by their predecessors. This illusion is eventually dispelled
with increased knowledge and experience."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 55
Whenever we face any problem, it seems to be the biggest and the most complex situation. As
long as the problem is not over, it hovers over our minds. It seems that others are very
comfortable and happy and the problem we face is the biggest ever faced by anyone. In the same
way, we feel that people in the olden times lived simple lives and thus faced fewer and less
complex problems. However, this is not true. I think this is only an illusion since we tend to
ignore the seriousness of problems faced by others. This illusion is broken only when we try to
put ourselves in that situation and study the real nature of the problem.
Complexities and problems are basic to humanity. If we face major problems in today's age, our
predecessors have had their share of difficulties and problems. The only change is the nature of
the problem. While the nature of the problem has changed than what it was in the older times, the
complexity and intensity of a problem is independent of the time it is faced in.
If we face serious problems like pollution, population explosion, scarce natural resources etc.
today, there have been other issues in the olden times that have been causes of worry. A problem
faced by our predecessors may seem simple today but it would not have been the same in the
olden times. There is no doubting the fact that people lived simpler lives, but all times, olden or
modern, have their own complexities and problems. People in the olden times were highly
dependent upon nature. Any natural calamity would hit the masses to the extent of destruction.
For example, a famine or lack of rains would wipe out many villages together when there were
very few means of irrigation. Similarly, the condition of floods was also grave and flooded towns
would remain completely cut off from the rest of the world. Today, we have found solutions to
these problems. This does not mean that there was never a problem like this before.
Today, our lives have been made easier with modern technology. That is the reason that we
underestimate the difficulties faced in the past. It does not seem a great deal to travel long
distances today. However, in the olden times, this was a journey that would take days or even
months together. In the olden times, the means of transportation were not as developed as they
are today. People had to walk long distances and would sometimes be assisted by bullock carts.
In such times, if they had to carry heavy loads to a different place it would be a huge task.
Further, if they were to face the ravages of nature like rain and cold, it would make their task
even more difficult. Today, we have forgotten the days of bullock carts. We never even think
about the climatic changes while traveling. Transporting heavy loads is no problem for us.
Nevertheless, when you study such a problem faced in the older times, it seems to be larger than
anything.
Similarly, the health of people in the olden times was a subject to destiny. There were very few
educated doctors and only few ailments could be treated with the medicines they had. Thus,
people were left to their condition in the lack of proper health care. Today, there is a solution to
many of the ailments faced by people in the olden times. However, it is also true that with the
advent of times we are faced with newer problems. If there was no cure for a disease like
tuberculosis earlier, today we are faced with problems like AIDS. There are problems to which
solutions have not been found yet. Scientists and researches are working towards finding a
solution to these problems. Nonetheless, I would like to support the stand that it is only the
nature of the difficulties that has changed with time, not the intensity and complexity.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 56
"To remain vigorous, any academic field needs to be led by truly independent thinkers who are
willing to ignore established boundaries and challenge long-standing assumptions."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 56
Revolution is brought about only by breaking the norms and forming independent ideas. In the
academic field, one cannot think of changing the norms without being active and vigorous. As a
matter of fact, any academic discipline grows and remains active only when there is research and
introspection done by independent thinkers. I am of the view that this introspection generally
requires initiative to break predefined rules and challenge the assumptions that have been taken
to be true.
In the academic field there have been assumptions that we take to be true since they have been
accepted in that form since time immoral. We believe what has been told to us and do not
attempt to question the details. However, this leads to the death of that particular academic
discipline since it does not lead to new discoveries and changes. I believe that it is only novelty
in the ideas and initiative of independent thinkers that leads to new discoveries. This can be
contrary to the predefined assumptions and can challenge the long held beliefs of people, but at
the same time it is very important to unfold the truth and explore new horizons.
By ignoring the established limits, one ventures into the areas that have not been explored and
studied before. This gives them a free environment and mind which is not controlled by
boundaries. Thus, the research is not influenced by any assumptions and what comes out is an
independent as well as a new concept. For example, we all know that humans are the
descendents of apes, the earth is round and it revolves around the sun. These concepts have come
to light only after the efforts put in by some independent thinkers. Before any such attempts were
made people had different beliefs regarding the existence of Sun and Earth as well as about
human evolution. People believed that earth was a flat plain and that the sun revolved around the
earth. People thought that we were the descendents of Adam and Eve and no one every thought
of humans having evolved out of apes. An average person never questioned these beliefs and was
happy to follow what was told to him. It would have been the end of science had there been no
one to challenge these ideas and bring forth the truth. The concepts of solar system and evolution
of humans has come to existence only because someone dared to think beyond the usual beliefs,
ignoring the boundaries.
Consider the fate of any academic field which does not experience any change or which is not
vigorous. If people did not break the norms there would be no studies carried out in that field.
Therefore, there would be no new discoveries or findings. The coming generations would study
the same things in new times. This would bring stagnation in that field and it would become
nothing more than literature.
Let us take the example of history. But for the efforts of historians and archeologists, history
would not have unfolded the way it has. It is only when people have ventured out to dig up long
forgotten civilizations that we have come to know about Harrapan culture and other such
civilizations. I believe that there are still many facts about our history that are unknown and
hidden from us. If we remain content within the restricted frame of mind, these facts would
remain hidden from us. However, if someone breaks away from the restricted frame of mind and
tries to find out more than what is told to us, only then can we hope of discovering these hidden
facts.
The line of thought followed by independent thinkers may or may not be correct, but this can be
known only after the validity and truth of his findings is established. This requires research into
the field, which ensures the academic discipline to remain dynamic and vigorous.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 57
"The best way to teach-whether as an educator, employer, or parent-is to praise positive actions
and ignore negative ones."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 57
Encouragement helps a great deal in bringing up any quality. A positive feedback can boost the
morale to a great extent. Such learning, that is backed with positive feedback and
encouragement, is effective and faster. However, I disagree that negative actions should be
ignored. Along with praising positive actions, it is very important to point out the negative ones
so that they are not repeated.
Teaching involves inculcating good habits and eliminating bad ones. It is a process of refining
the personality and imparting correct knowledge. If it does not fulfill any one of the two things, it
is incomplete and ineffective. Education can be imparted in many ways. However, the point is
not just to make the students learn theie lessons anyhow but to make them incorporate what they
learn in their lives. Moreover, education also involves teaching those things that the child is not
able to pick up on his own. This can be done only if they are taught in a proper way. Children in
school are in their growing age. What they are taught in school goes on for all their lives.
Therefore, it is important that along with appreciating their good actions they are told about the
places where they are wrong. For example, a child may be brilliant in studies and may score well
in all subjects. However, he may not be friendly and polite with other students. He could be a
bully or rude to others. Here it is not only important to encourage the child to do well
academically but it is very important to teach him how to behave. If this is not done, he will
grow up to be an unfriendly person who is not accepted in the society. This will eventually make
him a loner since no one will want to interact with him.
Similarly, parents have a very important role in bringing up their children. Home is the first
school of a child. A child has no knowledge of what is right or wrong. He picks up whatever he
sees around him. This may be good or bad. It is the duty of parents to check where their child is
going wrong. They should teach him values and morals. While students are under the
observation of educators for fixed hours, a child is under constant observation of his parents.
Therefore, there is increased responsibility of a parent to observe the actions that are not
accepted and correct them. I would like to add here that correcting such an action does not mean
that the child is scolded, rebuked or beaten to put him on the right tract. In fact, such behaviour
can make the child more stubborn and difficult to handle. Negative criticism need not be done in
a harsh manner. It can be done by making the child understand why a certain action is wrong.
The habits as well as knowledge a child picks up in his growing years go a long way. It goes to
his benefit if he inculcates good habits and correct education. However, this does not mean that
he can never go wrong. For example, for an employer it is very important to check the
performance of his employees. The employees should be appreciated and encouraged to keep up
the good work. On the other hand, it is possible that they make wrong decisions at some point of
time. Instead of ignoring these mistakes, an employer must help them to come to the right
decision. This will help in the professional success of the individual as well as of the employer
he is working for.
In the end, I would like to maintain that correct and the best teaching is where a child is given the
knowledge of right and wrong. He should not only be appreciated for the right behaviour but also
be told about the places where he goes wrong. This is the essence of teaching.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 58
"The best way to learn a new subject or skill is to study small segments or details in great depth
rather than to start by trying to develop a sense of the whole."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 58
Little drops of water make an ocean. Gaining knowledge is a gradual process of learning pieces
of information that give the understanding of a whole. To learn a new skill it is important to start
from the basics and gradually move towards the details and complexities. I agree that to begin
with learning a skill a person must try to understand smaller segments or details which form the
basis that help you understand the concept as a whole. However, I also maintain that it is
important to understand the whole concept as a complete whole. The bits and pieces of
information along can be of no use unless they are used to understand the larger picture.
The small segments and details of any subject can be looked upon as the building blocks of the
subject. These building blocks act as the foundation stone for the structure built over it. It is only
with a proper understanding of these details that we can have the understanding of the subject as
a whole. On the other hand, if you begin to try and understand the larger part of the subject
without learning the basics, you are bound to get confused. For example, when we learn a
language, we begin by learning alphabets and their sounds, words, sentence formation, grammar
etc. It is only after learning such things that we are able to speak, read as well as write the
language. On the other hand, if you attempt to read the literature of a new language you are
bound to find yourself in a pool.
On the other hand, as I have mentioned earlier, it is important that the concept is studied in
totality. The details and pieces of information that lead to the concept make it meaningful.
However, if you leave it on just studying these small pieces of information it will be of no use.
The small pieces of information hold their importance only if they are used to construct and
understand the concept. For example, if a cobbler learns the ways of cutting leather, stitching
different pieces, polishing the leather etc., he must also learn to use his skills to make shoes. If he
does not learn to make shoes, then learning how to cut leather is of no use to him. Therefore, his
efforts of learning how to stitch the pieces of leather together is of use only if he is able to turn
them into beautiful shoes. It is clear that it is the final result that matters. However, we cannot
negate that fact that the final result is reached only after mastering the small details and
precisions required.
When we look at a painting, we look at the whole scene depicted in it together in one look. It is
the final result that is in front of us which can be comprehended and understood. On the other
hand, if you look at an incomplete painting, you will not be able to make any head or tail of it.
However, if you have to learn the art of painting, you must first start by understanding the
strokes of a brush and colour schemes. Therefore, according to me, it is the end result that is
important and useful. However, in the pursuit of mastering the skills required to reach the result
it is the small details that should be learnt and practiced.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 59
"College students-and people in general-prefer to follow directions rather than make their own
decisions. Therefore, colleges should eliminate as many choices as possible in order to offer
students clear direction."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 59
College students are at a stage when they are prepared to take the world in their own stride. In
such a case, when they are offered a number of choices they can get confused as to what is best
for them. They might look for guidance from others but eventually it is their big decision that
matters. However, restricting their options and making them follow a predefined path is not the
solution. I believe that they should be encouraged to take the decision for themselves out of a
variety of choices in front of them.
A child holds the finger of his father to learn anything new. He depends upon the decisions of his
father and blindly follows them. However, if he continues to do so he will never be able to make
decisions on his own. He should be given the knowledge of what is good or bad for him. Only
then will he become independent of his father and learn to live on his own. It is gradually that he
learns to take decisions for himself. While some decisions might be correct, some of them might
prove to be a disaster. However, we learn from our experiences. If we do not experience failure
due to a wrong decision, we will never get a chance to correct ourselves. The colleges give us an
opportunity to trust our decisions. At the age when the student is ready to join college, he is
grown up enough to take up the responsibility of deciding for himself. Thus, colleges should
encourage the student and should not eliminate its options by giving a clear direction to be
followed.
At the college level, students choose the stream that they want to follow. This becomes their
career path. Each student is different and so are his or her interests. Therefore, given a choice
they will choose the stream in which they have a natural interest. However, if they are debarred
of such a choice, they will be forced to follow predefined directions. This may be contrary to
their interests. However, this is a lifelong decision and it will be unfair to force them to follow a
career that they are not interested in. For example, if a student has interest in journalism and
mass communication, it would be incorrect to make him follow the course of engineering.
The statement says that college students as well as people in general prefer to follow directions. I
do not agree that this is a general trend. If a person is dominating, he will not follow directions
given to him. He would choose to follow a path directed by his instinct and principles. Directions
are followed only by submissive people. It is only if a person feels that following directions can
make their work easier and less complicating that they follow directions. However, we cannot
say that all people have a submissive nature in general. I believe that there are all kinds of
people, submissive as well as dominating, those who prefer to follow directions and those who
prefer to direct themselves.
Conclusively I would like to maintain that the purpose of college-level studies is not just to give
academic and professional qualification or complete the education of a student. A college
prepares the student to take his own decisions in life. It is the responsibility of colleges to
develop the personality of a student into a confident and independent person. Therefore, instead
of restricting all this by eliminating the choices a student has, the colleges should encourage
them to take their own decisions.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 60
"'Moderation in all things' is ill-considered advice. Rather, one should say, 'Moderation in most
things,' since many areas of human concern require or at least profit from intense focus."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 60
We are faced with a number of issues of varying nature and importance in our daily lives. All
these issues need to be dealt with in different ways. Depending upon the nature of the issue, we
should choose to either be focused or remain calm about it. I agree with the given statement that
moderation is not required in all things. There are things that deserve more importance and
attention. Instead of paying only moderate attention to all the issues, we should direct our efforts
according to the delicacy and importance of the issue concerned.
The focus should be more over issues that require immediate concern and attention. There are
many things which need to be attended to in the present. Issues like poverty, population
explosion, exhausting natural resources etc. are grave and need immediate attention. If we adopt
a moderate attitude towards these issues and do not focus our attention to find out a solution of
these problems today, these issues will pose a threat to us in our future.
The idea of being moderate in all things is dangerous and therefore should be avoided. If we do
not consider how grave a situation is and deal with it with restraint, not only are we avoiding
doing justice to the issue but are also fooling ourselves. For example, it is the need of the present
to control population explosion. There need to be measures like educating people, spreading the
benefits of family planning etc. that need to be undertaken on a wide scale to control this menace
immediately. If this is not done we will face the ill-effects of an uncontrollable rise in population.
There would not be enough for everyone to eat, people would not find a place to live, it would be
difficult to support large families, people would remain jobless and the general health of people
would suffer. Being moderate towards such an issue will not solve the problem. It would only
aggravate the issue to the extent that it would result in other related problems. On the other hand,
we can hope of coming out of this vicious circle only if quick and effective action is taken.
I would like to add that in finding an immediate solution by being focused one should not ignore
judicious and fair treatment of the issue. It is possible that in a rush of solving the problem by
taking extreme steps, a wrong step is taken which results in irreversible damage. There are many
benefits of being moderate towards a thing. It makes you relax and think about the possible
solutions and their outcomes. Hence, the decision taken by being moderate is effective and
lasting. Therefore, moderation should be practiced for most of the things which do not pose an
immediate threat to us. On the other hand, the areas where you cannot afford to remain moderate
should be carefully identified and acted upon for an immediate effect. As it is rightly said, 'a
stitch in time saves nine', it is wise to be alert and act upon an immediate problem. Not only does
it check the growth of the problem but it also saves you from other related problems.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 61
"The purpose of education should be to create an academic environment that is separate from the
outside world. This kind of environment is ideal because it allows students to focus on important
ideas without being held back by practical concerns."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 61
William Allin quotes, "Education is not the answer to the question. Education is the means to the
answer to all questions." The above quote by William Allin sums up the importance and role of
education so beautifully. The purpose of education should be to make a child ready for the
outside world and that can be done by making the world outside a part of the school curriculum
and not by making education aloof from the world outside. The education is certainly not the
answer but a means to answer all questions. It becomes very important that if education is a
means of answering all questions then it must include in itself all the problems related to the
outside world. I believe that education is integral to the outside world and certainly the outside
world should be a part of education. I believe education and world are dependent on and not
isolated from each other and they should be viewed in presence of each other.
The purpose of education is not only imparting bookish knowledge to children. Education is a
much wider term than that. A true teacher makes you think on what you have learned and not
just makes you learn that by heart. A teacher can only open the doors of true knowledge for a
student. It is up to the students to reach to those opened doors. If education would not include
outside world than it can only make people to read and write but it will not make them think
what is good to read and write. Education is not only what one has learned in school but what
one will remember throughout ones life even when everything taught in school is forgotten from
the memory. It certainly does not mean that people get educated only to earn a living but to
understand the true meaning of living. This can only be achieved if children in school are aware
what relation their acquired knowledge has with the world outside. If children are not aware of
the scenario outside the school premises then no matter how good they are in studies they will
fail drastically in the world outside.
We have examples of many literary figures and great men who made education a medium but not
the end of their success. The various hardships faced by them in the journey of life played an
important role in helping them to become geniuses. Mark Twain was such a literary figure who
saw many hardships in his life and came up shining bright. "I have never let my schooling
interfere with my education." These are very famous words by Mark Twain and it is so evident
in one line that education does not only mean what is learned in school but there is so much to
learn from experiences of life.
Although it is very important that the world outside be a part of our education system but it
should not overshadow our education system. The only aim of education should not be to impart
knowledge about the world outside. The endeavor should be such that by the time children are
ready to go out of school they should be ready to face the world.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 62
"Although innovations such as video, computers, and the Internet seem to offer schools
improved methods for instructing students, these technologies all too often distract from real
learning."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 62
Innovations are the greatest strength of mankind as they make us think more and thus create.
Innovations of any kind have always been helpful to mankind. The huge amount of credit for our
development goes to innovations that the humans have made in all stages. Innovations of all
kinds are proofs that humans have been progressing. The metamorphosis of a human from a
prehistoric cave man to today's modern man is all because of innovations. Innovations in all
fields are helpful and useful for us and education is one such field where innovations like video,
computers and the internet have proved to be of remarkable importance. I believe that these all
means of education in schools have revolutionized the whole education system. I also
recommend that all the schools which are not able to make use of these innovations in their
education techniques must use them for their numerous benefits.
Children are the future of any country and education plays an indispensable role in making them
responsible citizens of a country. The teachers in all education institutes try their level best to
educate children. The students in school can be taught a great deal with the use of videos. If the
service of an experienced teacher is unavailable in a school then recorded lectures can be helpful
to the students. In the same way with the use of this innovation children can be shown the facts
which were earlier told to them verbally. This way the students will retain more knowledge.
Similarly with the use of slide shows through computers the students can be told numerous facts
in a lecture which otherwise would require a couple of lectures of the teachers. This way the
teacher would be able to impart more knowledge to the students. Computers are also helpful to
students as they can learn and write more promptly and accurately in lesser time.
The use of internet has large benefits for the education system. The large number of schools
across the world can share their education through the use of internet. vast knowledge on all the
subjects is available on the net which can be beneficial for the students. Distant education has
become accessible through internet. Learning to use internet helps a student in long run when the
student goes to a workplace.
There are numerous benefits which innovations provide us with. The help in school education is
one of the benefits derived from it. I believe that an innovation empowers people to do what they
desire to do. It helps people in becoming more efficient, creative and productive. It also helps
students to learn things which they could not learn before.
Although these innovations have been very beneficial for our education system but the medium
of video, computer and internet lack the personal touch which only a teacher can personally give
to a student. The relation of a teacher and student is divine which is lost in innovative methods of
learning.
Thus innovation in the field of education should be used to help the teachers in giving education
to the students but it can certainly not take the place of a teacher.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 63
"Most people prefer restrictions and regulations to absolute freedom of choice, although they
would probably deny such a preference."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 63
Man is a social animal and he can not stay alone. We all look for company as without it survival
would be very difficult. In order to stay together humans developed a social system and that
social system runs on rules and regulations. The need to make rules and regulations was because
we all humans appear to be the same but we all have different view points and convictions. In
order to make this society run in a uniform and unbiased way rules and regulations were
introduced. These rules and regulations aid us to live in a society and we all are aware of how we
are supposed to conduct ourselves in this social structure. I agree that it was we humans who
made these rules and regulations for the society but we always want to have freedom in whatever
we do. Therefore, I agree that although we all want freedom but we get confused with so many
options around and thus we all prefer rules and regulations to absolute freedom.
We humans have many options is all fields of life. At times it is easier for us to make decisions
but sometimes it becomes very difficult. In such situations one thinks that a certain code of
conduct should be there which should be followed. Imagine a worker working according in his
own style and rules in an organization can never produce results desired by that organization. It
is because we all think differently and if there are no rules and code of conduct which we want
that employee to follow then he would never be able to deliver what we want him to. Similarly,
in all fields of life such rules and regulations are necessary as without them it would be very
difficult to run this society. From childhood we learn to follow rules and regulations. We are free
to choose our school, further field of study, our career but we have to follow rules and
regulations of all these places. The way we want to be protected from others in the same way
others also want to get protected from us so that not a single individual can harm the interest of
another. Another field which does not let people exercise their choice of freedom is law. Law is
the same for all and does not change to suit the requirement of any individual.
We all, at some point of time, do complain about rules and regulations. We all want to exercise
our birth right of freedom but there are so many options available today that an individual
becomes confused. At that point of time we all want that there should be something standard that
is there for all. In such situations it is mandatory to have rules and regulations.
Although there are few people in the society who have their own convictions and beliefs but
unknowingly they are following the rules of that community which thinks it is different from the
rest. Therefore, we all want rules and regulation even if we are given true freedom.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 64
"Most people are taught that loyalty is a virtue. But loyalty-whether to one's friends, to one's
school or place of employment, or to any institution-is all too often a destructive rather than a
positive force."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 64
In the present day world the foundation of all relationships is loyalty and without this virtue this
world would not be as good a place to live as it is now. It is very difficult to imagine a world
where loyalty does not exist. Virtues are first few things that get imbibed in us in our childhood
and these lay the basis of becoming a good human being. The virtues in a human make him a
good human being. If we are not loyal to people around us how can we ever be loyal to our own
self? I feel that the virtue of loyalty is of utmost importance in proving our worth as good human
beings. I also feel that without this virtue of loyalty in us we can not do justice to whatever we
do, be it friendship or service to any institution.
We make friends in day to day life so that life is easy to live. The loyalty from both the friends is
very important to keep the friendship going. If one friend is disloyal then that friend is making
the institution of friendship stained. If trust or loyalty is broken then the friendship also does not
stay. Loyalty works as a bond between two friends. If the element of loyalty is missing from
friendship then it would not be possible in friends to share their doubts, worries, happiness and
sorrows. I truly believe loyalty can never be destructive; rather it makes a person progressive.
A place of work is a place of worship for an employee as that employee is earning his bread and
butter from it. The only thing that an employer expects from his employee is good work and
loyalty. A loyal employee is one of the biggest assets of any institution. If an employee is
disloyal to his workplace he is doing justice neither to himself nor to his workplace. A disloyal
employee is a hindrance for any organization's development. Therefore, loyalty is one virtue
which is very important in all the relationships and even in the place of work.
Although loyalty is of utmost importance in a relationship like in friendship or at workplace but
if it is blindly followed it can be destructive also. It can also hinder the personal development of
a person. If a person working in an organization is offered a better job option from another
organization but out of loyalty for his present employer he does not accept then it would be
detrimental for his career development. Similarly, in friendship if one friend is doing something
wrong and the other friend does not go against his friend out of loyalty then such sort of loyalty
is dangerous.
The virtue of loyalty should be practiced so that the person following it should not follow it
blindly. Being loyal to ones place of work or to a friend is quite credible but it certainly should
not forgo other things which are also important for a person.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 65
"Encouraging young people to believe that they can accomplish great things if they try hard
enough is both misleading and potentially harmful."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 65
Every person aims to achieve high goals in his life and few words of encouragement may act as
driving force that motivate a person to do better. We all crave for encouragement and if there
were no encouragement then everyday work would be very monotonous. Every person has a
source of encouragement in his or her life. All great men who have done remarkably well in their
respective fields had timely words of encouragements from their well-wishers and their critics.
Encouraging a person to do well in life certainly does not mean that he or she should be praised
excessively but getting people to know about their flaws is also a great encouraging factor. In our
present scenario, the younger generation should perform in all the fields for the development of
any country. I believe that kind words of encouragement from seniors or friends/family can
prove to be a catalyst in their good performance. Therefore, in my opinion the younger
generation should be encouraged to do better in its respective fields so that they prove to be an
asset to their organization as well as to the country.
Encouragement can lead to miracles. A solider in army is a great example, as he is ready to give
his life for his country. No ordinary man would ever dare to do so but an army man, as he is
encouraged to perform for his country in the battlefield. The few words from his senior
transforms a normal man to a solider who is ready to forego the most precious thing and that is
his own life. I believe that the power of encouragement is tremendous and it can make an
ordinary person do extra ordinary things. A novice painter who gets remarkable words of
encouragement from his mentor after his amateur work can certainly turn in to a great painter.
There is no denying that encouragement is needed in all fields of life but too much
encouragement or dependence on encouragement can be misleading and destructive to the
younger generation. As a saying goes "there is a limit to everything" the same applies in this
case. We just cannot encourage people for the sake of it, as it would not only be detrimental for
the individual but it may also make the individual overconfident and overambitious trying to
achieve things that may be beyond his capabilities. Any failure after this can be harmful for the
individual as well as the organization.
Encouragement should aim to make the younger generation achieve its goals with more zeal and
enthusiasm. The younger generation of a country assures a better future if it is led in the right
direction. It is the prime responsibility of seniors, parents and employers to encourage people
with kind words to achieve maximum efficiency and development in all fields of life. At the
same time, the encouragement should be realistic and aimed at getting better results and not
giving false hopes.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 66
"Computers and video technology can make facsimiles of original works such as paintings and
historical documents available to everyone. The great advantage of this new technology is that it
will enable anyone-not just scholars-to conduct in-depth research without having access to the
original works."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 66
Technology has always been helpful to humankind. There have been innovations which have
provided timely help to us. Technology has made an impact on our lives and now it has become
very difficult to work without technological innovations. The technological innovation of
computers and video has brought revolution in all fields. Such innovations make work easier for
humans. Computers are put to use in all fields of life. It is not only used by the public but also by
scholars. Computers and video technology is used to create facsimiles of original work to aid
research of scholars as well as for public's purposes. I believe that here technology fails to
deliver the desired results and instead it is misused. Historical documents and paintings are a part
of national treasure and they should not be made accessible to everyone. Therefore technological
innovations like computers and video technology should not be used for making facsimiles of
original work as this would be misusage of our innovations.
The biggest attraction of anything, a painting or any document is its originality. If we are
viewing or studying a subject that is not original then the impact of that thing is lost. If scholars
have to make study on the historical documents or paintings they should refer to the original
work as then only will they yield the correct results. The famous painting Mona Lisa by the great
painter artist Leonardo de Vinci is an example of a unique masterpiece. If any other artist wants
to study that famous painting he should study the original painting to know the intricacies as the
same effect would never come if he studies the facsimile of the original painting. Although there
are numerous facsimiles of original paintings which are available to general public but what can
be learned from an original painting can never be learned from a duplicated work. A similar case
applies to the historical documents of a nation. Such documents are the prized possessions of a
nation and if they are made easily available to the public then they can be misused. If a person is
allowed to study an original document then that person becomes liable for any misusage but
stopping any other person from misusing the facsimile of the original work would not be an easy
task.
Although facsimiles of original work are used for study but it should not be misused. Facsimiles
of original work can be authorized where it is essential as the original work cannot be made
available to everybody for study or research. The person should maintain the sanctity of a
document and certainly should not misuse it. It is certainly a great advantage for all those people
who always wanted to study the original document but were unable to do so. Such innovations
can work only as an alternative for numerous people to avail an opportunity of a lifetime. The
only caution exercised while making such facsimiles is that strict disciplinary action should be
taken against people misusing such documents.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 67
"Conformity almost always leads to a deadening of individual creativity and energy."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 67
Every individual in this world is different from another and all individuals have distinctive
qualities of their own. An individual can never be similar to another in every aspect as everyone
has a different perspective and approach towards life. We all live differently and we also work
differently. If an individual is expected to work in an environment where he is to follow certain
set of principles of work then it may lead to the end of his creative abilities. I believe that if an
individual is working in a rigid work place where he can not execute his creative working skills
then that puts an end to all his creative energy and skills. I think if God has not made us all with
the same creative thinking then we should also not try to go against nature, rather we should
unleash the inner creativity and energy.
Many of hose individuals who did not wish to work under rigid work environment are very
successful in life as their creativity brought them the desired output. We have a great example of
Bill Gates who is the owner of world famous computer Microsoft Company. He believed in his
creative thinking and energy and with that he created revolution in the computer industry. His
achievements have set milestones in the field of computer industry and he has also become one
of the richest people in the world. The power of working with a free mind yields remarkable
results. The famous scientist Newton discovered the law of gravity sitting under an apple tree.
Unconformity makes people give different and distinctive outcome and working in conformity
give almost similar outcomes. Unconformity helps people to bring out the originality in them.
There are many examples in history which show that people adopting unconformity were
successful in their respective fields.
Although conformity proves to be detrimental in the interest of an individual who would have
done remarkably well by putting in practice his creative thinking but in certain cases conformity
is a must. In all the armed forces around the world the soldiers are expected to follow a certain
code of conduct. In such institutions unconformity does not help but conformity makes the
organization run. Conformity makes people rigid and that is what is needed in such professions.
Even law which is considered the back bone of any nation works on the principle of conformity.
People can not make laws on the basis of unconformity as then it would not be possible for any
society to exist. Law is one such rigid institute where creativity and individuality is of no use and
if people exercise their duties and responsibilities according to their wish then there would be too
much chaos. Nobody would abide by the rules and regulation and everyone would think
differently. Such a situation would not only be detrimental for public but also it would stake the
existence of such a nation itself.
Therefore unconformity in creative fields would result in remarkable results but it would
certainly prove to be drastic where conformity is essential for the organization to exist to achieve
its goal. We all want to be free as it unleashes our creativity and originality but at times rigidity
is also very important.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 68
"Much of the information that people assume is 'factual' actually turns out to be inaccurate. Thus,
any piece of information referred to as a 'fact' should be mistrusted since it may well be proven
false in the future."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 68
In all fields of study the outcome is termed as facts. We all rely on facts which are presented
before us with relevant explanations. If a piece of information is presented before us and there
are enough proofs to make it viable then we are bound to accept it as a fact. I believe that if a
study is a proved fact then there is certainly no doubt about its authenticity. It is quite likely that
a fact which is proved correct today might yield some different results after a few years but that
does not make the present facts inaccurate.
The term fact is generally associated with scientific studies and discoveries. Science is a very
vast world and there is so much to explore and scientists keep making new assumptions every
now and then. The assumptions are then studied and confirmed into facts. The outcome of one
scientific study becomes the base of another scientific study. It was a known fact that cow's milk
was better than buffalo's milk for infant consumption. A more recent study proved that infants
who were on cow's milk only, acquired iron deficiency. The deficiency was due to the fact that
cow's milk disabled iron absorption by the body. Although the older study could not bring this
point into light but that study was also correct. The new fact certainly does not make the old
study false but it aids the old study and thus it came into notice that it is important to feed an
infant other fluids along with cow's milk. Therefore, whatever studies are done the facts which
are proved have certain amount of authenticity in them and they are not absolutely false.
Although most of the factual information is accurate but the facts are results of studies made by
humans so they are bound to be incorrect sometimes. This generally happens in the field of
medicines. Firstly, scientists would recommend a medicine for an ailment and in the next study it
would be proved that the medicine has ill effects on human body.
Therefore, it is important for people to make their research with utmost care as if researches go
wrong it can result in drastic consequences. We all are dependent on our scientists for new
studies and discoveries and if they adopt a negligent approach then eventually we would suffer.
Human life is precious and any study concerning it should be deliberate so that chances of
getting facts wrong results are minimized. Although we are sufferers of such failed studies but at
the same time it can not be forgotten that these scientists are humans after all and they are only
doing their work. New and better technology aids their studies and thus they come with new and
better results. It is not necessary that facts are always inaccurate but their viability can certainly
be questioned.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 69
"Although it is easy to respond positively to the work of another person or group, it is far more
worthwhile to give negative feedback."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 69
In today's world of competition every individual wants to prove that he is better than the other.
The feeling of competition is making people do better work and it has increased their
productivity. Any individual would like to work more and would work better if he gets a good
feedback for his hard work. Therefore, I believe a positive feedback would not only boost the
self-confidence of an individual but it would also help in increasing his quality and productivity
in the work front. While on the other hand I believe that a negative feedback can result in loss of
confidence and also it can lead to disinterest in work.
A few words of appreciation can do wonders for an employee as then in order to prove himself
he will work even better. A very famous ritual is performed in one of the tribes in South Africa,
where if villagers want some tree to be removed from their land for cultivation of some crop they
would not cut it. The group of tribal people would go to the tree everyday and keep cursing and
criticizing it. The tree would eventually fall after few weeks. Such bad impact negative things
have even on nature. Similarly if a worker or an employee is always receiving negative remarks
from his senior or his fellow colleagues then it would not only make him depressed but then he
would not even like to work further. Negative feedback can transform into poor results and in
order to make an employee realize his mistake the employer should adopt a positive approach.
Instead of being rude and harsh if the mistake or fault is conveyed in a polite manner it would
boost the morale of the employee. The employee would then work with more zeal and
enthusiasm.
Also, if a person who is doing good for his organization gets a positive feedback from his seniors
it would not only make him feel worthwhile but it would also encourage him do to much better
work in future. By giving positive feedbacks and encouraging people to do better, any
organization would not only be doing well to itself but it would also be favorable for the
employees. The happier and contended work force would not only perform better but also
increase the productivity of the organization. Therefore, positive feedbacks of any kinds yield
good results and it is beneficial for both the employer and the employee.
It is true that bringing out somebody's negative aspects is very difficult and responding positively
towards the work of another person is easy. But I believe that without being too negative if a
person or a group is told about their drawbacks then it would only enhance their working
capabilities. It is not always necessary to have a negative approach whenever some suggestion is
to be made to some individual. The process of suggesting or correcting can always be positively
dealt.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 70
"An individual's greatness cannot be judged objectively by his or her contemporaries; the most
objective evaluators of a person's greatness are people who belong to a later time."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 70
All individuals are capable of doing well in their respective fields. A person can prove his worth
if he presents himself to be better than his contemporaries. If a person is able to stand apart from
the rest of his class then he is considered great. An individual's worth is assessed in the time
when he has achieved something and not with those who belong to a later period. I believe if a
person's worth is compared to his contemporaries then he certainly is a genius and he should not
be compared to the people of later generation. Time is the prime factor which is sufficient
enough to make the present separate from the past.
We have great examples from the past which tell us about the achievements of great people.
There is no denying that such people did remarkably well in their fields but it certainly would not
be fair o compare the two. We all are grateful to Edison for the discovery of the light bulb but his
achievements can certainly not be matched with the scientists of the present generation. It would
not be fair on part of both. Similarly great architecture of the old ages can not be compared with
today's architecture. We have great monuments which were made using great architecture but
that certainly can not be compared with today's architecture. There are numerous examples
which would prove that past achievements can not be compared to the present ones because we
can not compare the present situations with the past ones for various reasons. An actor who is
doing remarkably well in his career can not be denied of fame if he is not able to prove his acting
capabilities compared to the yesteryear actors. The demand for work has changed over the years
and therefore people are not expected to do what they were doing few years back. If the demand
for work has changed then a person is not expected to work like the people of later period and
hence his outcome in the work front would be different from that of earlier times. Therefore, it is
impractical to compare the two.
Although it is not fair to compare a person's worth with the people of later period rather than his
contemporaries but still people of later period act as our mentors. It would certainly not be
correct to be compared to them but they are always looked up to for inspiration. If a person in
present time has proved himself to be worthy then there is no doubt about this fact. His
achievements should not be compared with the achievements of people of a later period.
Therefore achievements of an individual should only be compared with his contemporaries. If he
has made his stand strong amongst his contemporaries then his worth should not be compared to
the people of later period.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 71
"Societies should try to save every plant and animal species, regardless of the expense to humans
in effort, time, and financial well-being."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 71
The dependence of humans on plants and animals is timeless. Humans cannot survive without
plants and animals and the reverse need not be true. Many animal and plant species are becoming
extinct and consequently there are many organizations, PETA for one, that are working towards
conservation of the same. Many societies also make their contributions towards the cause.
In my view, Nature adjusts itself according to changing times and needs. That is what we call
adaptation. Each species adapts according to the changes in the environment and struggles for
survival. The species that cannot cope up with changes succumbs and becomes extinct. Pollution
is one major factor responsible for the falling populations of many species. Deforestation, natural
calamities and imbalance in food chain are other such factors.
The statement mentions that saving plants and animal species is more important than human
comfort. There is no doubt that humans are exploiting Nature to the hilt. Humans are rapidly
devouring jungles to build more offices and residential areas. Forests and other natural habitats
of animals are being destroyed. Moreover, climatic changes are jeopardizing the future of many
species. The situation is grim because animals and plants are not able to keep pace with
environmental changes and they are succumbing to the situations. We have to even recognize
that with time many species of plants and animals become extinct not only because of human
interference but also because of natural causes. For example, huge animals like dinosaurs were
wiped off the face of earth due to natural calamities, in most probability. For such extinctions
there is little that humans can do.
There is also no denying that humans are aware of these changes and are making efforts to
curtail ecological imbalances. Nonetheless, saying that saving these species should be focused
upon at the cost of human effort, time and financial well-being is not reasonable. This statement
is partial towards animals and plants. It implies that the author holds solely humans responsible
for the extinction of plant and animal species. Humans and animals should live in harmony.
Efforts to save plants and animals should not go to an extreme. Extreme behavior does not last
for long. Things done in moderation are more effective. It is more important to make constant
and moderate efforts, rather than imposing severe restrictions that are short lived. If a person
denounces his comforts for the sake of animals and plants, he might not be able to keep the
revolution going on for long.
Moreover, the given statement is incomplete. Had the author mentioned his idea about how
conservation of plants and animal species is to be done, there would be more conviction in his
statement. His attacking human well-being and not giving any substantial points about how the
species are to be saved does not solve the purpose. There is no doubt that our lives are far more
comfortable than we require. We can take some pains to avoid pollution. We can make efforts to
conserve wildlife by modifying our localities and concentrating on conservation of plants and
animals. Governments can make checks on deforestation. There is no dearth of the measures that
we can take to conserve wildlife. Nonetheless, moderation is required at all steps. Moreover, the
very factors that harm animals and plants also harm humans.
Societies should make efforts to save plants and animals, but care should be taken that humans of
the society do not feel over strained with the efforts. A middle path should be adopted. Each
member of the society should do his bit, he should make his contribution and his own well-being
should also be taken care of.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 72
"The true value of a civilization is reflected in its artistic creations rather than in its scientific
accomplishments."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 72
A civilization is an advanced state of human society. It is a society that is developed in terms of
culture, science, industry, and government. Development of all these aspects is equally
important; any one underdeveloped aspect can qualify a society as uncivilized.
The importance of development is immense. It signifies growth and achievement. Every society
tries to accomplish improvement in every sphere, be it art, literature, science, industry,
governance or anything else. Accomplishment in itself can be quantitatively measured. For
instance, the crime rate in a society is an indication of the state of law and order there, the level
of scientific advancement is another parameter. On the other hand, the value that is attached with
a society is not easy to measure. The estimation of a society's worth is complex. The different
parameters used for measuring accomplishment are not as useful when it comes to measuring the
value of a civilization.
The author is trying to draw a comparison between the scientific accomplishment and artistic
creations of a civilization as parameters for measuring its true value.
Scientific accomplishments are very important for any society and nation to develop. It is science
that governs our lives and the more we exploit it, the more we benefit and advance. Countries
like America that are centers of scientific research are the most progressive ones. Not only do
scientific accomplishments make our lives more comfortable, they make our nations stronger,
more sought after and secure. There is no denying the fact that if a civilization has to progress, it
has to pay heed to its scientific advancement.
On the other hand, scientific development cannot gain a nation any respect if its people are not
advanced. For a civilization to be respected, its people have to have great thoughts. Our thoughts
govern our actions and hence our actions are a reflection of our states of mind. Artistically bent
people in a society are its true leaders. They express their minds through artistic creations like
literature, paintings, music, poetry, dramatics etc and cast an influence over millions. An artistic
creation is not bound by a civilization. It transcends the barriers of location, time, language and
culture and extends its influence across nations. Influence of a civilization across other
civilizations is the true recognition of its worth. It brings timeless glory to the society like no
scientific creation can.
A comparison between India and America should clear the point. Where America is scientifically
advanced, India is artistically rich. People are attracted towards India because of its rich and
varied culture and heritage.
History also stands witness to the fact. We observe how cultures developed in the past on the
basis of their artistic accomplishments. Science, in fact, aids comfort only. It cannot have any
influence over our minds; it cannot change our attitudes and values. Art is timeless and scientific
developments are relative. Any great scientific development can be improved upon but art is
complete. The worth of a civilization is known from its artistic background which is typical of
the civilization, whereas scientific accomplishment is greatly influenced by other civilizations.
Therefore, we can say that art is the true representation of a civilization.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 73
"Most societies do not take their greatest thinkers seriously, even when they claim to admire
them."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 73
It has increasingly been seen that we don't practice what we preach. There is a lot of difference
between words and actions. I agree with the statement that our societies are composed of such
people who may admire great people and their ideas but when it comes to their own conduct,
they have no guiding principles.
There have been great thinkers, reformers as well as leaders in every society. Due to their noble
and reformatory work they have earned a position of repute and respect amongst the members of
the society. These people set ideals for mankind with their simple living and high thinking which
we should ideally follow. However, these ideals are not forced upon us and it is the will of
people to choose their own way of living. When our lives are comfortable and there is no unrest
in our society, we choose to follow the path that suits us rather than what is best suited for the
benefit of our societies. People are not interested in incorporating good philosophies of great
men in their day-to-day lives. Great thinkers are admired but we only expect others to follow
their guidelines, leaving ourselves conveniently out of it.
There are many evils in a society. Leaders and reformers like, Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Gandhi
had devoted their lives to uproot these evils so that we get a healthy and progressive
environment. That is why Gandhi had earned the position of the father of the nation. People all
over the world respect him and his ideals. We agree with his teachings that non-violence is the
best policy and that we should retain our values. However, we conveniently ignore such ideals in
our own lives. Contrary to the principles of non-violence, not only is there an increase in the
number of crimes in our society, we also do not practice patience in our daily lives. Such
examples of indifference towards the preaching of great men are evident in every society.
Another example of a great social worker is that of Mother Teresa. She is known for her concern
towards the poor, sick and underprivileged. She has given a definition to humanity, charity and
compassion. Even though there are millions who claim to appreciate her, there aren't many
Mother Teresas around. So much so that we even ignore our basic social responsibility of
charity. 'Charity begins at home,' is a dictum for everyone but ourselves; we do not even bother
about the financial well-being of our domestic helps. We are so self-centered and engrossed in
our own lives that we seldom practice what we know should be correct. We celebrate the birth
and death anniversaries of great men, celebrate the official holidays on such significant days,
attend chat shows, hold discussions...we do it all but only for the moment. This shows that the
influence of great men on our minds and actions is merely superficial. We 'claim' to admire them
but do not prove the same in our actions.
What is interesting is that such great men also have their share of criticisms by cynics. There are
people who question the financial transactions following the demise of Mother Teresa. Other
great men like Gandhi, Nehru, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill etc, who have selflessly
served their people are also under attack by some cynics. Such conceited attitude is a reflection
of our inability to accept the greatness of such people and in turn to look for opportunities to
prove that they are ordinary people who we follow merely because we are under illusion. To add
to the irony, many organizations have been formed in their name. Such organizations have all the
ideals of such great men in their doctrines, but no trace of the same philosophies in their conduct.
Nonetheless, a section of people adopts the philosophies of great men and lives by their
principles. Owing to the work done by such people and organizations, the contributions of great
men are not completely forgotten.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 74
"We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose
views contradict our own; disagreement can cause stress and inhibit learning."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 74
Any kind of learning needs a favorable environment. Where there is conflict amongst people it
only results in commotion. I believe that although there is a lot that we can learn from every
situation and people around us, it is a general attitude of people to dismiss the ideas of someone
who has a contrary view. According to the given statement, we can learn a lot more from people
with whom we share our views rather than from those who hold contradicting views. I, however,
feel that there is a great scope of learning from people who hold different views as well.
Nonetheless, we are not ready for this type of learning because our ego comes in the way.
Disagreement causes stress, tension and commotion, but we should try to rise above this and
benefit from the experiences of others who we disagree with.
Birds of a feather flock together. We join the company of people who share the same views as
ours. Thus, there are increased chances that we listen to what others have to say instead of
getting involved in an argument. This makes a perfect environment for positive learning and we
get influenced by the ideas of others. There is no inhibition among such people and a mutual
rapport is established. However, the scope of this type of learning is limited. It ends where the
views are exchanged. When one person is at the receiving end and agrees to all the views of the
learned person, he does not question his knowledge. On the other hand, there is a greater scope
of learning from someone who has different ideas than you.
When people holding different views come together, they argue over a certain issue. We cannot
take it for granted that we are always right. What seems to be correct to us may be wrong for
someone else. Therefore, in an argument we come across different views and interpretations of
the same issue. There could be sides of looking at the issue which do not strike to one person, but
these can come out only in an argument where people present views that are different from those
of yours.
Another example of a great social worker is that of Mother Teresa. She is known for her concern
towards the poor, sick and underprivileged. She has given a definition to humanity, charity and
compassion. Even though there are millions who claim to appreciate her, there aren't many
Mother Teresas around. So much so that we even ignore our basic social responsibility of
charity. 'Charity begins at home,' is a dictum for everyone but ourselves; we do not even bother
about the financial well-being of our domestic helps. We are so self-centered and engrossed in
our own lives that we seldom practice what we know should be correct. We celebrate the birth
and death anniversaries of great men, celebrate the official holidays on such significant days,
attend chat shows, hold discussions...we do it all but only for the moment. This shows that the
influence of great men on our minds and actions is merely superficial. We 'claim' to admire them
but do not prove the same in our actions.
Let us take an example of a simple classroom. If the students learn everything that the teacher
teaches them without asking their doubts or questions, they become passive learners. On the
other hand, if the students try to figure out the problem on their own, they will come up with
doubts and questions. They might not agree with their teacher on a certain topic for which they
can initiate a discussion. It is only in such a discussion that a real clarification of the topic comes
out. This type of learning is detailed, effective and lasting.
A new discovery or invention comes to light only when someone disagrees with the norms and
tries to prove his point. It is only when someone refused to believe that earth is stationary and
that Sun revolves around the earth that efforts were made to discover the truth.
Disagreement surely causes stress if the criticism is taken in a negative way. Instead we should
welcome criticism positively and try to learn from the ideas of others. It is a matter of attitude
that can change the way people think. If you are ready to welcome contradicting views and
accept different ideas, it will increase your knowledge manifold.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 75
"Competition is ultimately more beneficial than detrimental to society."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 75
Competition is the soul of every endeavor. It brings life and activity in any action. Without it,
any attempt is not explored to its fullest. It is competition that makes you work to the best of
your capacities. That is why the outcome is also the best. I certainly agree that competition has
many benefits to the society; however, I also maintain that competition should be healthy and
instilling positive attitude. If competition is not healthy, it will harm not only the individual, but
also the society in the long run.
In today's world, you have to prove your abilities to the world. With limited opportunities,
competition becomes inherent to any endeavor. It is a motivating force that makes us do good
work and emerge successful. Where there is healthy competition, people work hard to bring out
their best. They sweat and toil so that they can shine above the rest. Therefore, due to this
competition, the end result is of topmost quality. It is the society that is ultimately profited with
this type of competition. While the individual worth is explored to its fullest, the services of the
individual towards the society are promoted with competition. Competition is a positive driving
force that helps us to achieve our goals. It encourages hard work as well as ensures good quality
work.
The best example of positive competition is that amongst students. In an effort to do better than
others and compete with equals, a student works very hard. He tries to study more than others in
order to increase his knowledge. Hence, he is able to get good scores depending upon his efforts.
If he excels in studies, he can pursue the career of his choice and interest. Doctors, engineers,
scientists and educationists have emerged because of their knowledge and learning. In today's
society there is a great importance of doctors of repute for better health. Similarly, scientists help
in making our lives comfortable with their inventions as well as help in the progress and
development of a country.
A competition amongst two brands of the same product is another example where the society
benefits in the end. In order to increase the sales of their product, a company will employ all
tools like lowering prices and satisfying customer requirements of their products. Therefore, the
company will also try to improve the quality of its product. The result is that people not only get
a choice of different brands but also get the price and quality that suits them.
All said and done, it is nonetheless important to remember that if not taken positively,
competition can have a different side to it as well. Sometimes, in the pursuit to emerge above
others and succeed, people adopt wrong measures to reach their goals. For example, instead of
studying hard to get a good score, some students might resort to evil practices like cheating, and
bribing. This side of competition is harmful not only for individuals since it spoils their morals,
but also to the society. If a doctor gets his degree by bribing the authorities instead of on the
basis of his merit, we will have incompetent and incapable doctors in our society. This will
ultimately have its effect on the health of the society since our patients will not be in safe and
qualified hands.
Conclusively, I would like to say that competition has two sides to it. While the positive side is
that of healthy competition which does good to the society, negative and unhealthy competition
is harmful and dangerous for everyone. Therefore, in individual interest as well as in the interest
of the society, negative competition should be avoided.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 76
"It is more important to allocate money for immediate, existing social problems than to spend it
on long-term research that might help future generations."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 76
The present is always a consequence of the past and the base for the future. It is true that a state
of perfection is reached only when we get rid of all our social problems. However, we can never
rid ourselves of social problems. Nonetheless, even a little effort made today ensures future
benefits. I believe that where allocating money is important for improving our present, it is
equally important to invest in our future.
No nation is free from social problems. The type and intensity of the problems varies from nation
to nation. For instance, social problems in America include drug abuse, racial discrimination,
deterioration of family values etc. whereas in developing countries, these problems are in the
from of unemployment, illiteracy, poverty, hunger, etc. It is important that every nation spends
sufficient amount of money to eradicate such social problems. It is only the government of a
country that can create jobs for the unemployed, provide food for the hungry, facilitate
education, rehabilitate drug addicts etc. Besides it is a government's responsibility to look into
such matters to ensure the wellbeing of its people. A society is the smallest significant unit of a
nation. For the progress and development of a nation it is very important for its societies to
develop harmoniously. In case a society is embedded with social evils that are ignored by the
government, the problems will amplify and pose a greater threat in future. For example, if
illiteracy is not dealt with at the right time, then no matter how much a nation progresses, its
development will not be complete.
On the other hand, we have to live our present keeping in mind our future. Our present is the
outcome of our past. We are able to live comfortable lives because of the foresight of our
ancestors. Had there been no research regarding modes of transport and communication in the
past, we would not have lived the same lives. There would not have been any satellite
communication, GPRS navigation, space ventures etc today. We cannot imagine our lives
without telephones, cars, internet etc. since we are so used to them. Such developments have
been possible only because enough financial support was given to research in these fields.
Hence, it is very important to continue with research and keep funds for the same. It is very
important for a nation to keep pace with international advancement. If no efforts are made
keeping in mind our future needs and we live only in the present, our future will be in darkness.
There will be no progress and a state of stagnation will arise. This will eventually increase the
dependence of a nation on other developed nations.
We cannot say that it is more important to concentrate on the present social problems and ignore
the future. Equal importance should be given to present social needs and research for the future.
As we progress, different social problems arise. Each social problem should be dealt with at the
right time. Nonetheless, in order to secure our future we have to concentrate on research side by
side. Over concentration of one aspect and ignoring the other would lead to an imbalance.
Therefore, an administration should be judicious while allocating money for the present needs as
well as for betterment of our future.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 77
"It is more important to allocate money for immediate, existing social problems than to spend it
on long-term research that might help future generations."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 77
The progress in any field depends upon the extent of study and research done in that field. It
might be the efforts of a single person or of a group of people that contribute towards the
advancement. These people gain knowledge out of their experiences in their fields, but at the
same time, they are open to outside ideas. I maintain that the progress and advancement in any
field is mostly the result of extensive research done in that field. This research might or might
not be supported by the experience of outsiders since it is largely the efforts of people concerned
which bring a turn over in the field.
A jack of all trades is a master of none. However, a master of a particular trade knows the tricks
and details of his trade better than anyone else. It is only the learned who can comment on this
field of learning no better than anyone else. Therefore, I would say that it is only the person
having enough knowledge of a particular field who knows his area of study the best. It is such a
person who can further advance this field by venturing into its study.
Let us take the example of Albert Einstein who was a physicist. He has done remarkable work in
his field and due to his efforts the theory of relativity has been known. The field of science is
greatly indebted to his research and studies in this field. He had pronounced this theory in his
field of study by spending years to study the phenomenon. Hence, it was his knowledge in
physics that made him develop this theory. Apart from this theory, there are many noteworthy
contributions done by him to science due to which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. I
don't think we can expect any outsider to give such a universal theory of a field like this.
A learner of a particular subject should not underestimate his worth. It is only with the personal
efforts of individuals that remarkable discoveries and inventions have occurred. Alexander
Graham Bell has been a pioneer in the field of telecommunications and is the one to introduce
the telephone to the world. He invented the telephone only after an extensive study was done by
him in telecommunications. This is yet another example of a person doing eminent work in the
field he is related to.
Although it is the personal efforts of these learned people that help in advancing any field, the
contribution of outsiders cannot be ignored completely. It has been seen many times that novelty
of ideas exists in the thoughts of outsiders. An outsider has the benefit of unrestricted thought
and principles. While a person working in his field is restricted to his field, an outsider has a
wider experience and can introduce a remarkable piece of information or truth. Let us take the
example of Joseph Conrad. Conrad was a Polish novelist who did not know English and could
not speak the language fluently until he was in his twenties. Nonetheless, he learnt the language
and has many noteworthy works in prose written in English. We can say that he was not
originally form the field of this language. Being an outsider to English, he has been able to
contribute to a great extent to English literature and his efforts cannot be overlooked.
In the end, I would like to conclude that the greatest exponents of a field are responsible of the
major work done in the advancement of that particular field. However, there can be cases where
noteworthy contributions are made by outsiders in another field. However, it would be incorrect
to say that all the major advancements are a result of the ideas brought in by outsiders only.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 78
"A nation should require all its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter
college rather than allow schools in different parts of the nation to determine which academic
courses to offer."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 78
The children of a nation are its future. Along with becoming independent and successful, they
are the ones to carry the responsibility of running the nation as well as developing it in the future.
Therefore, it is very important to form a strong base in their formative years so that they are not
only successful in the personal front but also turn out to be good citizens. Education plays an
important role in forming the basis of a child's future. The curriculum should therefore be
carefully chosen to fulfill these requirements. I believe that the curriculum being followed in a
nation should be similar but schools should have some freedom to introduce or change it to a
certain extent. While the larger part of the curriculum should be decided to remain similar on a
national level, it should not be binding schools completely to follow it strictly.
Having a uniform curriculum is beneficial in many ways. It determines a standard level which is
required by every student to clear before he is able to take another academic step. Each level
prepares the student for the next level and this forms a stepwise format of learning. A common
curriculum ensures a stable and universal learning pattern. It allows making the curriculum
familiar throughout the nation and it becomes easier to refer to it. There are many students who
attend more than one school during their education. A common national curriculum is very
important for such students who leave one school and join another at a different place. For
example, consider the people in a transferable job like the defense. The children of a defense
person have to go to different places along with their families. It is evident that they need to
change their schools as often as their guardians get transferred to a new place. If there are no
guidelines for curriculum given to schools, these children will have to face new and unfamiliar
curriculums everywhere they go. This will make it difficult for them to cope up with the
requirements of a new curriculum and they will be at a great disadvantage. According to me, a
uniform curriculum at all places makes it easier for such people to change schools and adjust in a
new environment without hampering their growth.
Today is the age of competition. In order to find a place anywhere the students need to compete
with each other. Therefore, uniformity is required at some level so that there is fair competition.
Generally, students have to face an entrance test at the college level to secure a seat. This
entrance test is based on the knowledge acquired by students in their high schools. If there is
variation in the curriculum that they have studied, the entrance test will not be made on similar
lines for everyone. Hence, it would benefit some students who have studied that curriculum and
the other students would be at a loss. There would be no way to judge their capabilities with the
same parameters. Hence, it is very important that uniformity be maintained in the curriculum at
the school level, and students be able to face fair competition when they leave school.
However, I maintain that along with following the national guidelines for curriculum, schools
should have certain liberty in choosing the format of courses it offers. Each student is different
and so are his abilities. While there are some students who are fast learners, some are average
and some are extremely slow. Moreover, the interests of students vary. Keeping in mind the
interests of students, the curriculum should be molded so that they retain their interest in studies
altogether. Hence, schools should be allowed a certain amount of discretion in making certain
changes according to the needs only for the betterment of all the students.
In the end I would I like to conclude that a uniform pattern on the whole is very important at a
national level. However, at the same time, schools should not be bound to follow it blindly and
should be able to make certain changes that help the students in their studies.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 79
"The most effective way to understand contemporary culture is to analyze the trends of its
youth."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 79
Our culture is our customs, beliefs and attitudes. It is the way of life that the people of a
particular country, class or society follow at a particular time. The culture of a society or country
keeps changing and new trends and beliefs keep replacing the older ones. It is the young who
exhibit their culture most typically. However, it is also true that the older generation also has its
ways of following its culture and beliefs and the old should not be ignored. I believe, while the
old are moderate in following their culture, which might be different from that of the youth, they
are equally a part of the society. Hence, a proper understanding of the contemporary culture of
any place can be done only by a comprehensive study of the trends of the youth as well as the
way of life of the old.
Since culture keeps on changing, what was seen as a prominent trend in the olden times may not
be so today. This means that culture does not remain fixed. However, it is possible that in a
society at a particular time more than one culture co-exist. When it comes to understanding the
contemporary culture of a society, it is the young who are the most expressive. By nature itself,
the young are flamboyant. Therefore, the trends and beliefs they follow are noticed the most.
They are the ones to accept the latest changes first of all and make it their trend. What they wear,
think, do, and eat reflects the attitude and trends followed in the contemporary society. A
superficial study would indicate that the popular culture followed by the youth is the culture of
that society.
On the other hand, a proper understanding of the real contemporary culture is done only when it
is studied in totality. That means the whole population should be considered and the trends
followed by all the members of the society are studied. It may be true that the youth are most
expressive and the contemporary culture is generally seen in their behaviours and beliefs, it is
also true that the old form a large part of the society. They have their own culture, customs and
beliefs. Most of these people prefer to follow their culture without expressing it. They are not
flashy about their ways of lives. This is the reason that the culture they follow is not observed as
the culture of the society. However, ignoring this section of the society and considering the
culture of the youth as the contemporary culture would be shutting our eyes to half of the truth.
A proper understanding of the society is done only when the cultures, customs, beliefs and
attitudes of all the sections of a society are taken together.
As mentioned earlier, at one point of time there are more than one culture that co-exist. It is easy
to read and observe the culture followed by the young as compared to that followed by the old.
Although it is the beliefs and trends of the youth that come out when a society is observed for its
culture, it only reflects a part of its composite culture. A society is made up of different types of
people and thus different cultures are intermingled in it. Therefore, a study of the culture of a
society will be complete and justified only when all the people and their trends are studied.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 80
"The video camera provides such an accurate and convincing record of contemporary life that it
has become a more important form of documentation than written records."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 80
With technology governing the way we work and the way we lead our lives, it is impossible to
stick to old procedures and practices. Though official and legal bindings compel us to stick to
norms, we prefer to make full use of technology at our personal levels. Take the case in question
about record keeping through video cameras rather than writings. We would not think twice
before recording an event in the family through a video camera. None of us would think of
keeping a written track of events. In fact, in today's contemporary world, it is difficult to imagine
people filling pages and pages to keep records of important events. Even the concept of daily
dairy is now replaced with video diaries. I agree with the above statement, though not
completely. In my view, judicious use of technology for the benefit of all should be encouraged,
but completely replacing written records for video records is not as rampant, and it is so for
obvious reasons.
Video recording over writing is a faster, easier and more reliable method of record keeping. For
instance, when the proceedings of a court case have to be recorded, a typist is engaged
throughout the proceedings to type in the statements. Video recording of the event would provide
an equally efficient archive. Similarly, video recording the events of a meeting can also be
efficient. Many a court cases have been solved due to evidence presented in the form of video
recordings. People maintain video scrapbooks rather than paper scrapbooks now-a-days, simply
because of the ease and flexibility video recording offers. Not only is it easy to create a video
record, but also storing, editing and reproducing it is. In fact, video tapes used before for
recording are now pass. Compact disks, memory cards, mobiles etc are more common forms of
memory. These records are more portable and easy to duplicate, as compared with video
cassettes and written records.
Nonetheless, advances in technology have their own cons. Where it is easier to keep records of
events through video recordings, it is equally easy to edit records and make a lie look as good as
truth. There have been numerous cases in which images of people have been morphed by using
easily available software. Moreover, unclear recordings of events can lead us to interpret false as
true. There is no way we can record signatures of people where they certify that the recordings
are true and that their consent is sought. For instance, there could be cases of forced marriages,
impersonations, duplications of items etc. There could be unclear or no sound at all in the
recordings. The records would highly depend upon the situations in which the film has been
captured.
Though there are many pros of recording videos for record keeping, there is no denying that
there is a long way to go before we can completely be done away with written records. Where
video recordings are ideal for personal events and those that are not bound by legal matters,
written records are more reliable for legal issues. With signatures being a main means of
ascertaining the validity of any document, video recordings are not used for recordings the
details of deals like written statements are. Where people are increasingly using electronic
gadgets for keeping their personal records, their use should be encouraged in government related
matters as well. There is a distinction between the records that can be kept as video recordings
and those that require written mediums. Judicious use of technological advancements is
increasingly being done to lighten the burden of written records' keeping. Nonetheless, written
records are here to stay till a fool-proof method is sought.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 81
It is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 81
This is a very controversial issue. There are two viewpoints, which explain this statement more
clearly. Broadly speaking, in a democratic system, a political leader should not withhold any
information from the public. It is public's right to know everything about the leaders and the
government. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to hide some information from the
public for public's interest itself. Nevertheless, we must not allow our political leaders undue
freedom to withhold information.
In politics, complete forthrightness is a sign of vulnerability and naivety. In politics, a would-be
leader has to withhold information to first gain and maintain political power. They have to keep
their personal matters secret, otherwise they will not be able to win the public's trust and respect.
For example, if all politicians will fully disclose every personal foible, character flaw, and detail
concerning personal life, there will be very few honest politicians that would be elected. In
history, we have many cases where personal scandals have damaged the political career of many
powerful politicians; thus, I think this view is realistic. For example, President of America,
Nixon, when his role in the Watergate scandal opened up, had to resign. In his case, it was wrong
on his part to hide such an important information from the public. It was not in the interest of the
public.
However, sometimes there might be many circumstances wherein it is politic to restrain
information and prevent it from dispersing to other parts of the country to maintain peace and
harmony. For example, in a multi-cultural country like India, many cases of communal violence
have arisen. In such situations, political leaders have to make an effort to avoid the incident from
spreading to other parts of the country, otherwise, the communal riots may diffuse to the entire
country, and then it would be difficult to control the situation.
In addition, there might be situations during a war when it is often necessary for the government
to conceal the defense strategies and secrets from the public. Such information should not be
accessed by the public. There might be some elements in the society who might be spying for the
enemy and can leak the information to the enemy. Similarly, politicians cannot disclose
strategies and specific plans of the government to seize an international terrorist or a drug
trafficker, otherwise those strategies would surely fail, and the public's health and safety would
be in danger. Sometimes, withholding information is also necessary to avoid public panic.
However, political leaders should not take undue advantage of the public's trust and hide
information that is the right of people to know. People must be aware of major policy decisions
taken by the government related to the development of the country like education, health and
other fields. The media and police should make sure that the leaders who are involved in
scandalous activities be exposed to the public. The leaders like Hitler who lack forthrightness
and maintain power by brute force must be abhorred. Such demagoguery must not be allowed in
a democratic society.
Hence, while sometimes it becomes necessary to hide certain information in the public's interest,
such behavior should not be common characteristic of a politician. A political leader should be
committed to his principles, which will truly contribute towards a better nation.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 82
Academic disciplines have become so specialized in recent years that scholars' ideas reach only a
narrow audience. Until scholars can reach a wider audience, their ideas will have little use.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 82
With the development of science and technology, it is very natural that academic disciplines
become more and more specialized than before. Even the most learned scientists cannot know
well the contemporary theories of the fields beyond their research. Each field has the specialists
who mainly adopt and dominate it, and other people do not get the information related to that
particular field. Thus, the influence of that particular knowledge is not wide. Many people do not
get it and even if they get it, they do not understand it.
However, according to some people, the academic disciplines are over-specialized. They think
that scholars should influence a bigger range of audience. However, this idea does not seem very
practical. It is different to know the basic structures and basic principles of academic fields, and
to know the details of a particular field is altogether a different game. Specialists study the
details of a particular topic in a field and make them fit for the society. As a result, the fields are
getting more and more specialized.
For example, science and technology are developing at a very rapid pace. Take the biology field
as an example, the focus of studies has been shifted to genetic studies. Specialists adopt the latest
technology to do researches in the field, and it is not possible for ordinary people to easily
understand them. Most of the people do not want to understand all this, they just want to use the
latest technologies developed. In addition, many of these latest researches are related to national
security; hence, it is not feasible to disclose all the information. Terms related to high tech fields
are not easy and as simple as entertainment news.
Moreover, it is wrong to say that the use of the academic ideas depends on the amount of
audience who can reach these ideas. The audience is not the only factor, which we consider
while considering the use of academic ideas. In history, we have examples when some useful
ideas were not accepted by most people at first but later on had important effect in the history of
development of science. For example, in the twentieth century, Einstein gave the theory of
relativity that was not understood by most people. Even many great scientists in the same
research fields did not understand it. This theory, however, is the base of many other theories in
this field.
On the other hand, sometimes it becomes necessary for scholars to popularize their ideas of
science and technology among public. Many ideas of science are useful for dealing with
problems concerning nature as well as changing our societies. Hence, ordinary public need to
know about them. It is the responsibility of scholars to ensure that their ideas reach to more and
more people. With the popularization of these ideas, more and more people will be benefited by
them.
Hence, it can be said that although academic ideas have become more specialized in recent years
and reach only a narrow audience, they act as powerful tools for the development of our society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 83
Governments must ensure that their major cities receive the financial support they need in order
to thrive, because it is primarily in cities that a nation's cultural traditions are preserved and
generated.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 83
This is a very sensitive issue and it is difficult for us to decide the role of governments. There are
many issues in this statement that need to be addressed. The first question is whether the actual
culture and traditions is in big cities or small towns and villages. The second thing is that
whether it is really a government's duty to subsidize cultural traditions. The author claims that
governments should ensure that their major cities receive the financial support they need to
preserve the nation's cultural traditions. However, preserving cultures should not be the single
reason to develop major cities. This is not only for preservation of nation's culture but also for
the reason of developing the whole society.
There is no doubt that major cities are the principal force when constructing a healthy country
and their development directly reflects the development of the country. Major cities primarily
generate a nation's cultural traditions and makes it famous in the world. However, it is actually
towns and villages where cultural traditions originate and are preserved and any government that
pays attention to its cultural traditions should neither neglect nor ignore those places. Hence,
these small places should receive equal if not more financial support than major cities. The
culture and tradition maintained in these places might be much more integrated and purer than in
counterpart cities. Therefore, in order to protect their cultural traditions, governments should
support tradition-based towns and villages rather than invest a lot to the cities, which have little
traditional foundation.
If we take the example of Hong Kong, it used to be a small fishing village 150 years ago. After it
became the colony of the Great Britain, Hong Kong has developed gradually and has established
as a financial center in Asia. Therefore, from its present, nobody can assert that Chinese cultural
traditions are generated in Hong Kong. Hong Kong developed completely according to the style
of the capitalism country, during the reign of Britain, although the majority of residents were
Chinese, who are known for preserving their culture and traditions. The Chinese culture is not
preserved in Hong Kong, hence there is no point in providing financial support to Hong Kong
just for the culture's sake. However, as it is a major financial and shopping hub, it attracts people
from all over the world and it is a great source of revenue for the government. Hence, the
government of China has to patronize it to maintain its importance.
However, while major cities are the resource of one country's culture, the major part of
population in many countries lives in villages. In cities, most people are doing salary-based jobs
and in villages, most of the people are farmers. The government of a country has to take care of
both the sides to keep balance in society. To construct major cities, the rural places should not be
ignored.
The cultural traditions are the backbone of a nation and they should be preserved. However,
major cities and rural areas should get equal attention from the governments.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 84
All nations should help support the development of a global university designed to engage
students in the process of solving the world's most persistent social problems.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 84
It is true that these days there are more and more social problems and the problems related to law
and order, which cannot be solved by one nation. To solve these problems all nations have to
work together and there has to be complete communication between them. Therefore, the idea of
having a global university that will engage students in solving the most persistent problems of
the world is a good idea.
Many problems actually bother every country over the world, and require international
communication and cooperation to solve them. Society and technology has developed so much
that every country depends on other countries for its economy, culture, and environment.
Problems like global warming, environmental pollution, energy crisis, terrorism threat are
troubling people all over the world. Any one country cannot solve these problems on its own.
Each country has to take respective responsibility. International cooperation is an effective way
to handle international problems. The conflicts between different religions have caused many
bloody events. If a global university is built then it will have students from all over the world and
from all the religions. This will be good for the understanding between different cultures,
societies, and religions.
It will be good to unite the strengths and forces of many nations to attack the world's persistent
problems. For example, many criminal problems like drug trafficking, pirates and smuggling
often involves criminals of different countries. Hence, it needs cooperation between countries in
attacking the global crimes. Students who will graduate from this global university will have
more knowledge of other countries. It will help them to solve many persistent problems. The
students from different countries would be able to discuss some commonly concerned problem,
and exchange their viewpoints and thoughts.
However, building and running such a university would not be that easy. There are also some
problems that cannot be ignored and need international endeavor to overcome them. Each
country has different national and cultural interests and there will definitely be conflicts in
handling them. However, students have to learn to cooperate and communicate in the best way to
solve the conflicts. They have to keep their focus on the ultimate goal of solving global
problems.
There are many examples when people from different countries have worked together to solve
different problems. For example, the Kyoto Protocol to carbon dioxide emission problem, or the
Green Peace Organization for environment and then we have WHO for health problems in the
world. All these examples explain that international communication and cooperation is the only
way to solve global problems. Hence a global university will prepare the youth to handle the
problems of future. It will help them to understand the persistence and complexity of today's
social problems, and could impel them to find solutions that are more appropriate.
Hence, to build a global university to solve world's problems is a suggestion of great value. The
students of this university will get the power and opportunities they need to help solve the
world's problems. Hence, it should be supported by all nations.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 85
People's attitudes are determined more by their immediate situation or surroundings than by any
internal characteristic.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 85
It is true that immediate situations do affect people's attitudes; however, you cannot ignore the
effect of internal characteristics. A person can have different attitudes in different situations.
People live in societies and their actions are influenced by the happenings in their immediate
societies. Sometimes people do not make decisions only by their immediate surroundings. Their
intrinsic characteristic also is a very important determinant. For example, if a person has a strong
sense of sympathy for homeless people, he may propose to set up a home for these destitute
people. Many people make charitable hospitals without any selfish thinking. Hence, people's
altitudes are also decided by people's internal characteristic like the way they think about the
world, dispositions, and their tempers. We cannot give more importance to any one. Both the
things play a role in determining people's attitudes.
Immediate surroundings are also very important in determining people's altitudes. When thinking
of an issue, whether a social problem or a phenomena or a personal issue, a person's attitude is
greatly affected by his positions in the society. People usually do no take decisions without
thinking about their positions and status in the society. For example, when we choose our
occupation, we probably will do a research on the different aspects like salary level and working
environment among the companies. These are the outer factors that affect our decision. What we
consider most is whether we are able to do the job asked by the respective company and we are
very likely to choose the job of the company accordingly to our ability to do that job that is the
inner ability.
Internal characteristic and surroundings together affect our attitudes. When a child comes in this
world, he inherits some genetic characteristics from his parents. These are nothing but inner
characteristic of that person. Through the child's activities, we can predict that he is like his
father or mother since his parents also possess habits similar to the child. However, the
environment where the child grows up also affects his attitude towards life. If a child grows up in
surroundings of criminals then he might also develop attitude of a criminal since after doing a
crime he will get appreciation from his parents rather than reprimand. Such environment will
promote him to become a criminal or a gangster. The behavior of a person is definitely
determined by good or bad surroundings.
For example, Mother Teresa is considered an angel. Mother Teresa's family was a devoted
catholic family. It was her family's generosity, care for the poor and the less fortunate that made
a great impact on young Mother Teresa's life. She made up her mind to help poor and needy
people when she was just a child of 12 years. She dedicated every day of her adult life caring for
the dying, the cripple, the mentally ill, and the unwanted people.
As we grow, our good and bad experiences in life also affect our behavior and attitudes towards
others. However, our internal characteristics remain the same. A good person cannot behave
badly with anybody after a certain level. The internal characteristics contribute to develop the
attitude of a person. Additionally, in the long run, as the situations he faces and the surroundings
he interacts with change, his attitude becomes an outcome of that environment. In sum, people's
attitudes are determined by internal characteristics and external environment almost equally well.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 86
Many of the world's lesser-known languages are being lost as fewer and fewer people speak
them. The governments of countries in which these languages are spoken should act to prevent
such languages from becoming extinct.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 86
The issue raised by the author is right that some languages spoken by fewer people in the world
are on the verge of becoming extinct. As per the author, the governments of countries in which
these languages are spoken should act to prevent such languages from becoming extinct. It is
easy to say that this is the responsibility of government but there should be suggestions about
how the governments can help it.
Language is a wonderful medium of communication, which resembles an important aspect of the
cultural heritage of a country. There are two things, existence, and enhancement that keep a
language alive. Existence of a language depends entirely on the number of people using it as a
medium of communication. The life of any language depends on many factors, like strong
literature, people's attitude, and the number of users. If people have great respect and love
towards their mother tongue, then obviously they stick to it and will not look up to other
languages. If peoples' attitude towards a language is distorted then automatically the user-base
tends to decline.
However, with the advent of globalization in modern world, countries and areas have to
communicate increasingly. Hence, people would like to use a much widely used language such
as English to communicate with others all around the world. This results in many lesser-known
languages being lost because they prevent individuals and communities speaking such languages
from communicating with outside world, and ultimately become obstacles of further
development of these communities. According to a recent survey conducted on languages, there
are about 8000 languages spoken round the globe and the existence of 90% of these languages is
in danger.
In this scenario, it becomes government's responsibility to patronize these languages. The
governments should make people aware of the significance of speaking in their mother tongue.
Study of mother tongue should be made mandatory in primary education. If proper actions are
taken to counter this problem by the government and people of that particular country, then that
particular language will not become extinct.
For example, Japan is a small country with a small population, but even today, there is no decline
in the number of people using their language. This shows how the government and people of
Japan are cautious in preserving their culture, even when they have to deal with the other
countries for their business and developmental projects. However, there are many other small
countries in south Asia, where few western languages have overtaken their national languages.
Even in Europe alone, 30% of the languages have become extinct in the past few years.
However, governments alone cannot solve this problem by just making rules or passing laws. It
requires peoples' participation also. If people are aware of the impact of this problem and ready
to participate in tackling this problem, then half the battle is won. The medium of instruction at
schools and colleges should be compulsorily the national language. A subject on national
language should be included in the curriculum till primary education. The medium of
communication and official transaction in all government offices should be the national
language.
Language is an emblem of a nation's culture. Hence, it is not only the responsibility of the
government but also the responsibility of the people to nurture their language.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 87
It is necessary for everyone to read poetry, novels, mythology and other types of imaginative
literature.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 87
As per the claim of the author of this statement, it is necessary for everyone to read poetry,
novels, mythology, and other types of imaginative literature. There is no doubt that reading all
this reading material is beneficial for people, yet it is unfair to say that everyone should do so.
It is a proven fact that writings like poetry, novels, mythology and other types of imaginative
literature serve a significant role in people's daily lives. Writings like novels, poetry, mythology,
can be used as a means to relax. Moreover, some widely accepted values are rooted in these
kinds of writings. It is easier to inculcate reading habits in children through animated
mythological books as the characters in these books fascinate children. For example, consider the
remarkable novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by the famous writer Harriet Beecher Stowe. In her
novel, she informed people how and why we should treat African Americans as the same as the
whites. Her novels are widely regarded as a reading material for parents to read to their kid in
United States. Undoubtedly, such a way of teaching can instill in young children the right
perspective towards racial equity.
However, although this type of literature is good for children to read and learn from, it is not
necessary for adults. The reading of such imaginative literature should never be ignored and
should be included in the curriculum of children and adolescents who are still in their studying
stage. However, after a certain stage, it is necessary for us to be rational and analytical to build a
well-structured and well-functioned world with the help of scientific writings.
It is good to read all this literature in leisure time. Each person has his own way to entertain
himself or to relax himself, but overemphasis on reading poetry, novels, mythology and other
types of imaginative literature can sometimes lead to harmful consequences. Each person has his
own taste, some prefer scientific journals, some like philosophical works, and of course some
others indulge themselves in reading poetry, novels and mythology. It is difficult to change one's
reading inclination. If a person has to do many other important things then he does not have to
read poetry, novels, mythology and other types of imaginative literature. If his job does not
require them to read all this reading matter then it is not necessary for him to read.
Though reading imaginative literature is never necessary for adults, it is better to keep in mind
that imaginative literature is not completely useless. Such kind of works are to be appreciated for
their beauty, originality, inspiration and of course most importantly, their imagination.
Sometimes these works inspire scientists and researchers and it leads to new inventions. For
example, in the Ramayana, there was a mention of "Pushpak Viman" that was used by Lord
Rama to travel from Lanka to Ayodhya. In modern times, we have aeroplanes to travel.
Similarly, A Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
have cast much light on the discovery of our world in real life.
Hence, in our lives, if we need science to make our lives more comfortable, we also need
imaginative literature to relax our minds. However, it is never compulsory for adults to read
poetry, novels, and mythology.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 88
The stability of a society depends on how it responds to the extremes of human behavior.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 88
We are living in a world where there are extremes of human behavior. On one hand we have
violence, murders, terrorism, all of which not only menace the safety of people of the world, but
also greatly influence the stability of societies. On the other hand we have people like Mother
Teresa who serve people without any motive. It is somewhat true that the stability of a society
depends on how it responds to the extremes of human behavior.
The author is right when he says that the human extremes are the foremost threat to social
stability. The society consists of diverse kinds of people of different races, religions, vocations or
interests. Hence, there are endless conflicts to varying degrees in the society that inevitably give
rise to social disturbances. For example, in Middle East, because of religious conflicts, the Jews
and Arabs have long been at war with each other. Thus, the society there seems to be faint and
unstable as almost everyone is worried about the death descending upon them. The harmful
extremes of human behavior do great harm to society and should be tackled effectively.
If the government cannot control the extremes of human behavior, it will ultimately result in
great panic in the whole society. The government should use effective measures like catching
and punishing the criminals. These methods help in reducing the extreme behaviors to some
extent.
However, punishing the criminals is not the only way to increase stability in the society. Just
punishing the criminals can temporarily reduce the happening of the extreme behaviors;
however, it cannot eliminate these extremes from its root. The society should pay more attention
to the main causes of incidents of extreme behaviors like poverty problems, inequity, and
discrimination. People should analyze the motives and social problems, all of which may bring
about the extreme behaviors. The more impoverished and inequitable the society is, the more
likely the extreme behaviors will happen. Hence, it is important to curb the extreme behavior at
the earliest. If we stop these behaviors from the very beginning, there will not be much suffering
of human beings. One good example of the extreme behavior is Nazi Hitler, a typical human
extreme who was obsessed with war and racism. He started the Second World War just because
of his obsession with war and to satisfy his wish to rule the world. It caused a lot of human loss.
In order to build a stable and harmonious society, society should give its people equal right to
vote, to receive education, to express his/her ideas freely and so on, without differentiating
between men and women, white and black, rich and poor. Unless these deeply rooted social
problems are eradicated, there is no way that the society will be able to eradicate the extremes of
human behavior, since they are stirred by those social problems. Hence, the society should
handle these problems with great responsibility.
The stability of a society depends not only on the society's response to the extremes of human
behavior but also on the way, the society resolves the social problems underlying the extremes of
human behavior.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 89
Although many people think that the luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life are entirely
harmless, in fact, they actually prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent
individuals.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 89
As per the author, people's independence is deteriorated by use of modern facilities. In some
aspects, this is true, as people have become more dependent. However, we cannot neglect the
importance of many things in our lives. Moreover, despite the use of the facilities, humans are
still very strong and independent beings. It is just that whenever people see some crimes
happening around, they blame the luxurious and convenient life for the fecklessness,
irresponsible behavior, and independence of contemporary individuals. However, it is not the
luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life that hampers the healthy development of
individuals; rather it is the attitudes one has of life and his personality that guides him through
moral development.
Before discussing this topic, one should be clear about what luxury is. Luxury is something
inessential and expensive but conducive to pleasure and comfort. In the modern times, people,
especially the urban population, are enjoying the luxurious and convenient lives. Ironically,
people in cities encounter much difficulty in developing themselves into truly strong and
independent personalities in the modern "harmless" life. Technological advancement has brought
humans many convenient facilities, which are useful if a person does not depend on them
completely. These facilities help humans to overcome physical difficulties, which were
otherwise hard to conquest by mere human power. Through luxuries, people could overcome
difficulties caused by geography, weather, or time for example, car, cell phone, computer,
airplanes etc. Cars and airplanes take people from one place to another in less time. However,
people start depending on them too much. They get into the habit of using a car for just short
trips to a store at a corner. They avoid walking down even short distances. People prefer to go to
gyms instead of walking or riding a cycle.
Many people spend much of their time with facilities like television and habitually use mobile
phones. These people get so much addicted to these things that absence of these facilities makes
them feel insecure. However, this partial dependency does not prove that people are less strong
or are weakened mentally or emotionally. A person with a strong personality and positive
attitude toward life is always well prepared for any challenge and competition. While those with
characteristic deficiencies or negative attitudes towards life are always blaming the luxuries or
poverty for the failure without examining the actual causes that may be lying in themselves.
However, we cannot neglect the effect of the improved life on the developing of individual traits.
Without proper guidance, today's youth may well take it for granted that there is no necessity for
hard work and responsibility since the convenient life is already at hand. Hence, they should be
explained that improvement of life is the contribution of every individual's hard work, and that
no one deserves it unless he also does his contribution. In order to achieve the strength and
soundness of personality, one should set up healthy attitudes to life and chasten himself through
competitions and failures.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 90
There are two types of laws: just and unjust. Every individual in a society has a responsibility to
obey just laws and, even more importantly, to disobey and resist unjust laws.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 90
The author of the statement has divided laws into two broad categories: just and unjust. This
division is not correct. Any one individual cannot decide whether laws are just or unjust. It is
subjective to personal interests. Hence, it is wrong to say that one should obey just laws and
disobey unjust laws.
It is difficult to identify just and unjust laws. Many people have tried to define them. For
example, Martin Luther King said that a law is unjust if it is inflicted on a minority. While as per
Thoreau, policies of the State should never be put above the individual's needs. It is true that one
is accountable to obey just laws; similarly, one has the moral responsibility to speak against
unjust laws. However, it would be an extreme statement that one should disobey unjust laws.
Anyways, laws are based on majority vote and cannot always suit everyone in different
situations. Unjust laws do exist, but there is a proper way to reform them.
This issue is not a straightforward issue. The fairness of any law depends on one's personal value
system. This is especially true when it comes to personal freedoms. Consider, for example, the
controversial issue of abortion. Individuals with particular religious beliefs tend to view laws
allowing mothers an abortion choice as unjust, while individuals with other value systems might
view such laws as just. Similarly, some people might find some laws unjust because of their
personal interests. For example, law that limits the emission of harmful substances from the
factories protects people from the harmful hazards of these things. However, a factory might find
this law unjust, as he has to install expensive filters to dispose of the harmful gases and
chemicals from its waste. In this case, laws protecting the residents` health are more important
than the profit of the local factory.
Laws are made to keep societies in order. We should obey the laws if they are just, in order to
ensure the stability of the society. However, if the law conflicts with people's moral values or
beliefs, people should take direct action against it and make it amended through legislature.
Every country has a certain system to amend laws. Hence, people should approach the proper
channel to reform the laws, which they think are unjust. However, there are certain events in
history, which involve civil disobedience against certain laws that were not acceptable to the
general public. For example, Martin Luther King fought for American African rights against
color discrimination. He was jailed for his civil disobedience movement, but today American
people are thankful for his efforts. Similarly, in India, Mahatma Gandhi used civil disobedience
against the British Empire for the rights of Indians and got successful in getting freedom for
India. However, these are the examples where people fought for the nation's interest.
Finally, we can say that laws are to maintain peace and harmony in the society. Justice can be
achieved more effectively by helping people to reach a mutual understanding of justice instead of
revolts. Radical actions such as resistance or disobedience are rarely justified merely by one's
subjective viewpoint or personal interests.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 91
"Only by being forced to defend an idea against the doubts and contrasting views of others does
one really discover the value of that idea."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 91
The learning process in the life of an individual is largely determined by the number of
conversations held with others. A conversation is an excellent medium for gaining immense
knowledge through the views and opinions of others. The issue being discussed in a conversation
is addressed by each member participating in the discussion from his point of view. Hence, it is
natural for doubts, which question the viability of a particular idea, to come up during the course
of a discussion. It is undoubtedly true that the learning process is seriously hampered by discord
and disagreement. However, there are cases when such heated arguments over an issue actually
succeed in evaluating the worthiness of an idea. Therefore, one can discover the value of an idea
in a major way with the help of people who support the same idea. On the other hand, one cannot
completely negate the effectiveness of the process of defending one's idea, against the doubts of
others, in throwing light on the value of that idea.
There might be cases wherein the participants of a discussion are skilled in different areas
associated with the implementation of an idea. The doubts of these skilled people will help in
analyzing the worthiness of the idea and whether it can be successfully implemented. For
example, if a company has to launch a new product, then the company will have to put the idea
in front of its management team which will question every aspect of the launch of the product.
There will be questions related to the investment required, the publicity campaign, the
competition in the market, the mindset of the consumers etc. The opposition to the launch of the
product will definitely be supported by facts and figures which will prove the ineffectiveness of
the idea in achieving whatever is being envisaged. All these doubts and contrasting viewpoints
will end up in revealing the shortcomings of the idea. The next step could be to refine the idea
based on feedback which has come in the form of resistance to the idea from the other team
members. Therefore, in the long run, the process of defending an idea against the questionable
attitude of others would actually succeed in analyzing the worthiness of that idea.
On the other hand, there can be no fruitful discussion if the members of a discussion have
contrasting points of view and everyone is trying to prove that the other person is wrong. There
have been instances when the conclusion of discussion on a particular topic could not be arrived
at because no one was willing to compromise. What can be expected if the owners of a company
refuse to modify an original idea despite vehement opposition by the management team of the
company? There will be no learning process and the value of the idea will remain as it was when
it was initially conceived as no one would be willing to accept the other's viewpoint. On the
contrary, if the idea is accepted by the management team, there may be fruitful discussions
wherein everyone supports the viewpoint of the person who has conceived the original idea,
leading to further modifications to the idea, thereby making it more suitable for its successful
implementation.
In view of the above, it can be concluded that the value of an idea can be discovered by getting
positive support from people who share similar views and this value can also be discovered
during the process of defending one's idea from the doubts and contrasting viewpoints of others.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 92
"If a society is to thrive, it must put its own overall success before the well-being of its individual
citizens."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 92
Why have there been numerous wars in our history? More often than not, the reason is the
unequal status of two societies. The society which was developing faster was the one that
attacked the society that was underdeveloped in a bid to annex its territory. Needless to say, the
strong societies grew stronger and ultimately they were the ones which survived and the weaker
societies gradually became extinct. Man's history is testimony to the fact that societies have
flourished and survived only when its people flourished. How do people flourish? They need to
be happy and satisfied with their lives if they want to flourish. Whenever there has been a
widespread revolt in a society, it has always been due to dissatisfaction prevalent among a
particular section of the society. It is not possible for a society to move ahead on the path to
progress in the modern world if it is plagued by internal problems. The solution to all problems
plaguing a society lies in the well being of its citizens in addition to attaching an equal amount of
importance to the overall success of the society.
Is it possible for any society to thrive if it imposes restrictions on its citizens forcing them to be
dissatisfied with their environment? This dissatisfaction can lead to mass boycott of the rules and
regulations of the society, thereby making it difficult for the society to thrive. There have been
numerous examples of big countries which were split into smaller countries or states because
there were sections within the society which were dissatisfied as they felt that they were a
minority and they could not associate themselves with the society as a whole. Thus, a large
society was divided into several small societies and this signaled the end of the erstwhile large
society. The reason for this can be attributed to the fact that the interests of the citizens were
probably not looked into and the society kept its overall interest in mind rather than catering for
the well being of all its citizens.
On the contrary, there may be certain cases wherein the individual interests of the citizens have
to be kept aside in the larger interest of the society. However, this cannot be taken as a thumb
rule as this plan of action generally backfires and the leaders of the society have to go all out in
order to pacify the individuals or groups who are dissatisfied. For example, it is a well known
fact that smoking is injurious to health, but still there are a number of individuals in every society
who are chain smokers. A society may have to take the decision to ban the sale of cigarettes in
order to restrict the exposure of teenagers to smoking. There will be widespread opposition to
this action of the society from the group of smokers; nevertheless this action will be beneficial in
helping the society to thrive.
Therefore, the decision to ignore the interests of individual citizens in the interest of the society
may be a harsh one, but it may ultimately lead to the progress of the society into the future. One
cannot refute the fact that the success of a society is largely determined by the well being of its
citizens. Hence, in order to succeed, a society should be willing to give due consideration to the
interests of its citizens as well as be firm when it comes to choosing the overall success of the
society over the interests of its citizens.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 93
"National governments should devote more of their social programs and services to children than
to adults."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 93
Children and adults are both important constituents of a society. A society can progress only if
both its children and adults are given due importance. However, as the children are the future of
a nation, it will be beneficial to devote more social programs and services for the betterment of
children. There is a requirement of striking a balance between the attention being given to adults
and to the children. It will be in the interest of the nation if more policies and programs are
designed for children as compared to those for adults.
Children represent the future of a country. A nation progresses ahead only if its coming
generations are capable of handling the responsibilities in a way that is far better than what was
being done in the past. A nation can make its coming generations skilled enough to handle the
responsibilities efficiently only if it pays adequate attention to the children when they are in the
process of growing up. Good habits and healthy lifestyles can be inculcated in children very
early in life. All parents are keen on giving the best to their children. The government's attempt
to provide assistance to the parents in bringing up their children, in the best possible manner, will
be widely accepted across the nation.
For instance, the government plans to educate its citizens about the hazards of environmental
pollution. It would be a much better option to run such an educational program in schools and
colleges rather than conducting it for adults. The reason being that adults would already be busy
their jobs and careers and they would not be interested in wasting their time in attending such
programs. Even if they do attend such a program, it is unlikely that they will adopt the kind of
lifestyle required to keep the environment pollution free. The reason for this is that they are
already settled in life and they have a set of routines to be followed daily. They may not like to
change all that despite the efforts of the government. On the other hand, if the aim of the social
program is to educate and train the children, then there is a high probability that the government
will succeed in achieving its aim. The young minds of children readily absorb whatever
information is being provided. Hence, the citizens of a country can be better aware of their social
responsibilities, provided they are educated about these responsibilities early in life.
If one digs out the past of well-known criminals and other people who have been dangerous to
the society, it would be seen that they have had a tumultuous childhood with little or no attention
being given to groom them in the right direction. Therefore, it is necessary to spend time and
effort in training the children of today to grow into responsible adults of tomorrow. However,
this does not mean that the government should completely ignore adults when it comes to
providing services and social programs for its citizens. It is necessary to provide such services
and programs for adults, for the well-being of the entire nation as the nation is being run by the
adults only. Adults are the mainstay of a nation and they also need to be looked after by the
government when it comes to providing educational, medical and job-oriented facilities.
Therefore, out of all the social programs and services being worked out by the government, there
can be a small share that goes in the interest of adults and the rest should be aimed at providing
services to the children of today.
We have all heard the saying, 'A stitch in time saves nine.' This holds true in the case of children
who are responsible for shaping the future of a nation. Hence, the statement that national
governments should devote more of their social programs and services to children than to adults
is rightly justified.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 94
"Reform is seldom brought about by people who are concerned with their own reputation and
social standing. Those who are really in earnest about reforming a government, an educational
system, or any other institution must be willing to be viewed with disdain by the rest of the
world."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 94
Every revolution starts with one man, but it takes a long time before this man's vision acquires
acceptance from all social and political entities. The process of carrying out reforms is difficult
to undergo and not many people have the strength to stand the test. History stands testimony to
the fact that invariably every reformist had to fight his way through the prevalent policies, laws
and norms. Such people have often been targeted as terrorists or atheists depending on whether
they intended to reform political inadequacies or religious rituals. These people were not
bothered about their reputation or social standing or else they would not have been able to fight
against all odds and succeed in carrying out reforms. Hence, people who are keen on carrying out
reforms are the ones who are willing to be viewed with disdain by the rest of the world.
The intentions of the people who are fighting for reforming either the government or any other
system have always been doubted and often there are organized campaigns to malign them. For a
leader who is initiating any reform, the entire process is a test of his conviction, character,
communication capabilities and courage coupled with his ability to fight the resistance from the
rest of the society. Therefore, it is a prerequisite for such a leader to not only remain committed
to the intended reform process but also convince more and more people, who are resisting his
recommendations, about the likely benefits of his reforms.
The initial phases of a reform process present the toughest ordeal for a reformist and he realizes
that he is being targeted socially, politically and financially and there are not many people
standing with him. It is during these testing times that great leaders have been born who, with
their leadership abilities, were able to sustain such pressures and eventually emerge as winners
by being willing to be viewed with contempt by the rest of the world. Take the example of
leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela who had the support of only that section of
society whom they were fighting for. The rest of the world disregarded their intentions and
efforts to reform the norms of a society which was divided on the basis of the color of human
skin. These leaders were not bothered about their image in the eyes of the rest of the world and
they were prepared for the treatment meted out to them in the process of their fighting for
reforms.
Whenever a new idea is put forth by someone, it is generally met with stiff resistance from some
section of the society. The reasons are varied for the upsurge of this form of resistance. It may be
the opposition to the ruling party that is objecting in case the idea has been put forth by the
government or it may be a section of the public who stand to lose by the implementation of the
new idea. What can one expect if the new idea that has been put forth works around reforming
the laid down norms? There is bound to be resistance from the employees of the institution being
reformed or from the opposing political parties if the laws of a country are to be reformed. What
happens as an end result? The people who had put forth the new idea lose their reputation and in
the case of political parties, they lose their vote bank. In such a scenario, it is difficult for people
who are conscious about their reputation and social standing to bring about reforms. Therefore, it
can be concluded that effective reforms can be brought about by only those people who choose
to ignore the fact that they will lose their reputation and a majority of people will view them with
disdain.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 95
"Many people believe that a few individuals or small groups (family, friends, teachers,
celebrities, for example) have caused them to think and behave in the way they do. Yet it is
always society as a whole that defines us and our attitudes, not a few individuals."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 95
Man starts his life in an environment that is created by his immediate family. Members of his
extended family, his friends and teachers also contribute in shaping his line of thought, attitude
and behavior as he grows up. A child's world is limited to the people around him and he has no
idea about the society to which he belongs. He comes to know of the morals and values upheld
by his society from whatever has been taught to him by his family. His ideology and values
depend on his family and close acquaintances who may or may not have taught him the values
held sacred by his society. Hence, it is obvious that small groups of people are effective in
shaping our behaviors and the society has hardly any effect in defining us and our attitudes.
A society is defined by the customs and rituals followed by its people. It is evident that these
rituals have percolated down to the present generation by word of mouth from generation to
generation. Each generation learns from its preceding generation. If some members of a
particular society move and settle down in some other country and become a part of another
society, then will the society in which they are now living, completely define their attitude and
behavior. Probably this may not happen because the parents of the children will teach them the
values of their earlier society and the children will grow up following those morals and values
only. In case, the parents decide not to teach their children about their roots, the children will
learn about the society in which they are living from their friends and neighbors. In this case
also, they will learn what their friends tell them and not what the society as a whole follows.
Therefore, in either case it will be a small group of individuals that will determine their behavior
and not the society as a whole. As far as the adults are concerned, they would have led their
entire life following a set of principles imbibed from their parents and relatives and it is unlikely
that they will change their behavior even after moving to a foreign land.
Take the example of a conservative society that imposes restrictions on the way its people dress.
How does one justify the existence of people from this society who dare to defy such
regulations? They could not have got this attitude from the society at all because the values of
the society are not what these people are following. It is evident that they have formed this
opinion by emulating celebrities from the same society who do not follow these regulations or
from their family and friends who behave in a similar manner. Irrespective of the moral values of
a society, it is ultimately the influence of a small group of people who have the power to change
your thought process. Your thought process may agree with that of the society in which you live
or it may be in complete disagreement with the norms followed by other members of that
society.
To sum up, man has always learnt through meaningful interactions. These interactions may be
with his family, friends or teachers. In today's world the internet, print media and the television
media play a very important role in helping you interact with people across the world who live in
different societies. You learn a lot by just reading about them. This had broadened our horizons
and man's vision is no longer limited to the society that he lives in. Hence, it is true that our
behaviors and attitudes are shaped up by small groups of people rather than an entire society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 96
"Contemporary technology makes available many small pieces of factual information. As a
result, people have become so preoccupied with bits of fragmented information that they pay too
little attention to the larger issues and overall perspectives."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 96
The present era has been rightly termed as the information age since 'information' is increasingly
becoming pivotal in influencing decisions in all spheres of our daily lives. Consequently, the
tools for dissemination of information have also progressed riding on the back of the
technological advances. Our increasing reliance on the internet, television, 24x7 radio channels,
convergence of technologies on our mobile handsets and the omnipresent advertisements provide
information about almost everything that one can imagine. The bottom-line is that people no
longer have the time to pay attention to the larger issues and overall perspectives. However, this
surplus availability of information also raises questions as to whether most of us really need all
this information. Moreover, is the information provided complete in every respect and have there
been no deliberate attempts to present the information in a particular way or to propagate a
particular viewpoint?
Today, the abundance of information is in essence creating a haze in the minds of people leaving
them more confused as they gather different versions of the same information. Buying a
television or a camera has become a tough ordeal as every manufacturer tries to create an
impression of superiority. However, if one tries to enquire about the finer details of the
technology used, it would either be denied on proprietary issues or large amount of technical
jargon will be thrown at him which he would be unable to decipher. Thus, modern technologies
can be termed as magical black boxes which we do not want to open and even if we tried, they
would continue to remain a mystery, thereby restricting people to understand the larger
perspectives.
Therefore, when someone decides to buy a mobile handset, the deciding factor is not whether it
should be GSM or CDMA based, as he would be confused enough about the other features
available in the handset. This information fatigue forces us to install software and games on our
computers without even reading terms and conditions that are associated with it, thus exposing
us to unknown dangers. Similarly, most of us enjoy the convenience of internet banking without
making an effort to understand the risks. Fancy advertisements persuade us to buy products that
we may not actually need. The biggest beneficiary of the information age and technological
advances has been the media, especially the electronic media, which has acquired a gigantic
reach to influence the opinion of people and consequently emerge as a potent force. However,
the need to provide information often forces them to exaggerate and sensationalize an issue out
of proportions. Hence, a viewer is made to believe what is being presented to him and he remains
oblivious to the actual reality which may be a larger issue.
In conclusion, we can say that today there is an abundance of information and it is being thrown
at you irrespective of whether you may want it or not. The information is being provided in a
manner that suits the originator of the information and the important pieces may be hidden
behind the patents and proprietary issues. Therefore, a common man does not have the time to
get into the details of everything that is being presented to him. Therefore, he grasps what is
being made available to him and how it is being projected. In today's world, when information is
power, he continues to follow the saying: "The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill
of hearing," without bothering much about the larger issues and overall perspectives.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 97
"People in positions of power are most effective when they exercise caution and restraint in the
use of that power."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 97
Since time immemorial, the quest to acquire power has been high in the priority list of most
ambitious men. Who does not like to acquire a position of power that can be used to assert his
importance and influence over others? In the modern world, why is everyone trying his level best
to do well in his career? This is because all career-oriented people want to go up in the hierarchy,
so that they acquire positions of power which can be used to their advantage. However, there is
no denying the fact that even after acquiring a position of power; you may find yourself to be
ineffective if you do not exercise caution and restraint while using that power.
People are given positions of power so that they utilize their authority for the betterment of the
cause for which they have been chosen to be in that position. For instance, the person designated
as the recruitment officer of a company has the power to select people for employment in the
said company. What will happen if the recruitment officer resorts to unfair means for the
selection of suitable candidates? It is likely that he may misuse his power to select candidates by
receiving bribes instead of gauging their competence in carrying out the required job. The end
result would be that unsuitable candidates would be appointed against the vacancies in the
company and the position of the recruitment officer would be rendered ineffective for the task
meant to be carried out by the person holding this appointment. It is true that easy money and
additional privileges are very lucrative, but exercising caution and restraint while carrying out
the tasks related to a position of power will make the person holding that position very effective
in his job.
The most powerful positions in a nation are those of the political leaders. How many times have
we seen a political leader throw caution to the winds and do what he likes while exercising the
power given to him by virtue of his being elected to a powerful position and still be respected by
all? The answer would be that whenever some politician has been caught misusing his power, he
has been brought down from his position of power by the people who elected him. This is
because people do not want to be led by dishonest and unscrupulous leaders. It is a common
sight to see politicians play safe while exercising their power. Not only does such a stance earn
them respect in the eyes of the population, but it also ensures that the people instill their faith in
them. Actions speak louder than words. An effective leader is the one who earns the respect of
his people by setting an example for them to follow.
Misuse of power is not related to corruption alone. People in power may resort to being
authoritarian while imposing new regulations. They may even go to the extent of doing what
they feel is right without taking advice from their subordinates. This is also a misuse of power as
the people in power feel that they have the authority to make unquestionable decisions on their
own. Such a behavior will probably make the position of power ineffective as the people
working under such a person would be disgruntled by his indifferent attitude towards their
opinions and they may perhaps not even support him when he needs it the most.
It is essential for a person who holds a position of power to have the support of his people. Then
only can he utilize his position more effectively for the progress of the nation or the institution
that has elected him to that post. All this can be made possible only if the person holding a
position of power exercises caution and restraint while utilizing his power.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 98
"Anyone can make things bigger and more complex. What requires real effort and courage is to
move in the opposite direction-in other words, to make things as simple as possible."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 98
In the modern world, one can effortlessly complicate things further due the easy access to
technology. Science and technology have developed to the extent that man is now handicapped
without access to the gadgets that have been designed to make life easier for mankind. However,
the truth is that it is very difficult to make things simple as it would not only require effort, but
also a great amount of courage to deviate from the common living standards of society.
Today, people do not step out of their homes without their mobile handsets. They feel the need to
answer phone calls even when they are on the move or going out on a holiday. It is very easy to
get a phone that provides you with internet access and the facilities of an in-built camera, to keep
you better connected when you are moving out for a holiday. Your country's laws may not
permit you to drive while talking on your cell phone, so you may have to pull over when you
receive a call. There may be a requirement from your office to download something important
from the internet, so you may again have to pull over to access the internet from your phone. It is
very easy to buy a laptop and carry it wherever you go in order to increase the amount of
workload you can handle when you are away from your office.
What is the end result? You have ended up complicating the process of moving out for a holiday.
Not only has driving become complicated, but you have also ruined your holiday. The simplest
thing would be to leave your laptop and cell phone behind when you are proceeding on leave, but
how many career-oriented people will be able to do this? The answer would probably amount to
a negligible percentage of people who are willing to go for such a holiday, despite the fact that it
would be a much simpler option to call up the office from a local phone booth to find out about
the latest developments. This is because one would require a great deal of effort and courage to
do a thing like this which ultimately amounts to making things as simple as possible. The reason
being that no one wants to lose in the competition to prove that he is aware of the latest
technological developments no matter how much complicated his life has become.
Nowadays, houses are fitted with numerous technological gadgets like air conditioners, electrical
chimneys, burglar alarm systems, lighting systems, cooking ranges, wall-mounted television sets
etc. These gadgets may be centrally controlled with the help of remote devices. A small flaw in
the circuitry will make the residents of the house run around for repair technicians as the fittings
are so complicated that the residents may not be able to identify the problem on their own. A
simple way to end this problem would be to do away with the superfluous gadgets and keep only
those that are the bare minimum requirements for comfortable survival. Will it be possible for
anyone to live in such a condition especially when he can easily afford to buy the rest of the hi-
tech gadgets? The only thing holding him back would be the effort required to do away with the
things that are making his life complicated and stick to the things that will help him lead a
comfortable and simple life.
In conclusion, it can be said that one will have to gather enough courage and put in an adequate
amount of effort if he wants to make things as simple as possible as this would mean opposing
the common trend.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 99
"Most people would agree that buildings represent a valuable record of any society's past, but
controversy arises when old buildings stand on ground that modern planners feel could be better
used for modern purposes. In such situations, modern development should be given precedence
over the preservation of historic buildings so that contemporary needs can be served."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 99
How have we educated ourselves about the history of mankind? It is through the historical
buildings we see around us that we get an idea of how our forefathers lived. Heritage buildings
and other forms of old constructions not only give us an insight into the living conditions of the
past, but they are also eye-openers as far as the architecture in the past is concerned. However,
what happens when these old buildings occupy land that can be effectively utilized for some
modern construction? Instead of hastily deciding to demolish the old buildings or obstinately
sticking to not letting a scratch come to the old buildings, the best solution would be to strike a
balance between the preservation of the old architecture and the construction of buildings
designed to serve modern needs.
We have always been curious to unearth the secrets behind the constructions carried out in the
past which still continue to baffle all of us. Stonehenge in Britain is one the world's most
astounding piece of architecture. The construction of the Stonehenge is shrouded in mystery and
man has only been able to speculate as to how it may have been constructed in the age when
there were hardly any construction tools available. Take the example of the Sphinx and the
Pyramids of Egypt, which are yet another architectural marvel. These pieces of architecture have
served the purpose of throwing light on the lifestyles of ancient civilizations. Other old buildings
or constructions may not be as famous or as baffling as the examples quoted above, but each old
building provides us with immense information related to our forefathers. Not only do we get
priceless information about the construction techniques in the past, but we also get access to
various resources that help us understand our past.
It is obvious that demolishing old buildings can never be adjudged as the correct decision no
matter how crucial the new construction is for the present society because demolishing an old
building would be something like erasing a part of our history. There are numerous examples of
old palaces, forts and heritage buildings that have been converted into luxury hotels that house
shopping malls as well. The architecture, look and feel of the original buildings have been
retained along with the new modern constructions. This is the best solution wherein an old
building has not been completely damaged and it has been successfully modified into a building
that serves the needs of the present society.
It is not necessary that it will be easy to strike such a balance in the case of every such
controversy where a modern construction and an old building are concerned. For instance,
consider a case wherein oil has been struck in the land which is a part of a heritage building.
Should the old building be demolished to make way for an oil rig which is in the interest of the
nation or should the government preserve the heritage building and ignore the oil well that lies
below it? It would be a tough decision, but the government will have to find a solution wherein
the oil can be pumped out without any damage to the old building.
The past, present and future are all very important in the development of a society. No society
can afford to ignore its past in order to move into the future. The society should carefully strike a
balance wherein it is able to preserve its past while being able to attend to the common man's
needs in the face of urbanization. Therefore, the best solution would be to find a solution by
somehow preserving the old buildings and at the same time, allowing the new constructions also
to come up.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 100
"No one can possibly achieve success in the world by conforming to conventional practices and
conventional ways of thinking."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 100
Being successful has varied connotations. A person may consider himself to be successful if he is
able to provide a comfortable life for himself and his family. On the other hand, people may call
someone successful if he has succeeded in inventing some path breaking technology which will
perhaps change the face of the world. In both these cases, men and women have been successful
only because they conformed to conventional practices and conventional ways of thinking.
However, there is a rare possibility that breaking away from the conventional norms may
ultimately lead to success.
How have these conventions been established? These conventions are essentially methods and
practices that have been tried and tested by generations before us. Therefore, following these
practices will lead to success in life as the flaws in these conventions have been removed over a
period of time by the people themselves. Most of the conventions have been constituted into laws
and one does not have the freedom to deviate from the law. The conventional practice for
success in owning a comfortable house is to work hard for earning the money required to buy the
house. On the other hand, the unconventional method for succeeding in acquiring a house would
be to earn money by unscrupulous means like theft and burglary. Can this form of
unconventional method to buy a house be termed as achieving success? There are certain
conventions which have not been constituted into laws, but still one has to follow them if they
wish to succeed in life.
If you follow the conventional practices related to studying and choosing your career, you are
most likely to succeed in life. If you decide to break away from the conventional norms and start
a business with total disregard to finishing your basic educational qualifications, then you would
be taking a huge risk. There is a small chance that you may succeed in your business, but there is
a higher possibility of your not succeeding in your career as you have missed out on the
education that is crucial for success in every sphere of life. Thus, straying away from the laid
down conventions for success in life may not be able to prepare you adequately for what is to
follow. The better option would be to complete your basic education, get trained for business
management, learn the tricks for starting a business and then embark on your journey to start a
new business. This is the conventional method for starting a new business, which more often
than not, leads to success in the long run.
Conventional ways of thinking in the sciences are related to the proven facts of science. If you
are keen on carrying out research on a particular topic, you will have to start your research work
based on the conventions laid down in science. The time-tested theories of science will have to
be used by you as a base for your research work. All the latest technological developments have
been carried out by improving upon the already existing technology. There are isolated cases
wherein path breaking technology has come into existence because people dared to dream of
something that was new and unheard of. Bill Gates is one the richest men in the world today
because somewhere along the line, he decided to stray away from the conventions that he had
been following and came up with something that ultimately became one of greatest technological
leaps mankind has made in modern history.
In view of the above, it can be concluded that you have to stick to conventional ways of thinking
if you wish to succeed in life or else you would be taking a chance every time you decide to go
against the conventional standards. Hence, the bottom-line is that you should integrate the laid
down conventions with your own ideas and innovations so that the risk involved in going against
some of the conventions is covered by the set of conventions that you have decided to follow.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 101
"Students should memorize facts only after they have studied the ideas, trends, and concepts that
help explain those facts. Students who have learned only facts have learned very little."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 101
Why is understanding a particular concept always given preference over mugging it up? This is
because once you have understood a concept, it is unlikely that you will forget it that easily. On
the other hand, something that has been memorized by cramming it up will last in your memory
for a couple of days only. The education system stresses a lot on the explanation of concepts and
teaching the ideas and trends that are behind the facts which have to be learnt. If understanding
the basic concepts was not all that important, then there would be no requirement of teaching in
schools. Students could be given a long list of facts and they could be told to just memorize
them. However, this is not the case. This is because students will not be able to learn anything by
merely memorizing the facts. They should study the concepts that explain the facts before they
attempt to memorize those facts.
Acquiring knowledge and the application of that knowledge are two different aspects of learning.
It is easy to acquire knowledge by reading and memorizing facts. This way you cannot become
learned as you would be unaware about the concepts that have led to the establishment of these
facts and you will not be able to apply the knowledge that you have acquired by memorizing.
Moreover, you will not be able to analyze other related aspects on your own as you would have
learnt very little by memorizing facts. For example, simply memorizing the speeds of light and
sound are not as important as understanding the difference between these two speeds and how
they are related to each other. Unless you are clear about this concept, you will not be able to
either understand or explain the reason behind the lightening phenomenon wherein one sees the
lightening first and hears the thunder later; whereas both these events have occurred
simultaneously. Being able to explain this phenomenon would mean that you have actually learnt
something rather than just being able to rattle out the figures related to the speeds of light and
sound.
Children studying in kindergarten are taught the shapes and sounds of the alphabets before they
are taught the spellings of common words. There is no school in the world which would advocate
memorizing the spellings of words before understanding the phonetics related to the alphabets.
Even if a child does memorize the spellings of words without understanding the phonetics
involved, how long will he be able to retain those spellings? Even if he does remember those
spellings for an unusually long time, will he be able to work out the spellings of more difficult
words on his own? The answer to this question would be a definite 'no'. This means that the child
would have learnt almost nothing by memorizing the spellings without understanding the
concepts of alphabets and phonetics. On the other hand, if he has understood the sounds and
shapes of the alphabets, then he will have no difficulty either in memorizing the spellings of
common words or in reading and writing difficult words later on in life. Hence, it is obvious that
memorizing facts after studying the explanations to those facts will help the students to learn in a
better way.
Understanding the system that sustains life and allows us to grow and develop in this technically
savvy world is not very easy. However, you have to make all efforts to understand these concepts
if you want to be well educated in life. It cannot be said that you have learnt something if you
have merely memorized the facts as you are likely to forget these facts when you are no longer in
touch with your studies. Therefore, the better option would be to gain an in-depth understanding
of whatever is being taught and you are bound to retain the knowledge gained for the rest of your
life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 102
"Public figures such as actors, politicians, and athletes should expect people to be interested in
their private lives. When they seek a public role, they should expect that they will lose at least
some of their privacy."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 102
Everyone dreams of earning fame and fortune. People who are popular by virtue of their
professions, be it acting, sports or politics, try their level best to earn the admiration and respect
of the public. This is because a huge fan following can always be used to your advantage
irrespective of whether you are an actor or a politician. However, this fame and fan following
comes at a price: the loss of your privacy. Numerous public figures cry foul over the intrusion
into their private lives by the media, but there are a handful of them who love every minute of
being hounded by the public as it gives them an overwhelming feeling of being successful. It is
this handful of public figures that have set the trend wherein the public has got used to being
informed about the private lives of popular figures. Hence, whenever a person gets famous due
to either his profession or his royal lineage, he should be prepared to lose his privacy.
The intrusion into the private lives of famous figures has become a thriving business today.
There are hoards of magazines in the market that discuss the private lives of celebrities. You will
come across numerous TV channels that are popular just because they host chat shows in which
celebrities are interviewed about their private lives. All national dailies cover information about
the private lives of celebrities in order to make their newspapers more interesting. An act of
bravery by a citizen may not find its place in the front pages of the national daily, but the
photographs of the marriage of a popular movie actor are bound to be splashed across the front
pages of all the newspapers in the country. This mass hype regarding information pertaining to
celebrities has risen to such a level that the media can go to any extent possible to peep into the
lives of public figures. Take for instance, the unfortunate accident in which Princess Diana had
passed away. The paparazzi following Princess Diana was blamed for the accident. Was the
information related to the private life of a celebrity so important that it ultimately cost the
celebrity her life?
There is no clear demarcation of the boundary that should not be crossed by the media in its
attempt to unveil the real lives of public figures. The actual truth is that the careers of the media
persons depend on the kind of information they are able to provide to their news channels, TV
channels, newspapers and magazines. One of the main reasons why the common man likes to
gather such information is that he likes to emulate his role models. Information about the food
habits and exercising regime of a famous fashion model will be lapped up by women who are
keen on acquiring bodies like hers. People who have voted a political leader to power would be
keen to gather information about his private life so that they are able to know whether he is as
honest and sincere in his private life as he demonstrates in his public appearances. As the public
is always curious to know what the popular figures are like in their real lives, the sale of such
information is bound to rake in profits. Hence, the media tries every possible method to peep into
the private lives of celebrities, so that they can gain monetary benefits.
Despite the media coverage on the private lives of public figures, it is not uncommon to hear of
lawsuits being filed against the media for leaking information about the private life of a public
figure. Most celebrities like to keep their private lives to themselves and the media should
understand that whatever information is made available to the public should be at the discretion
of the public figure who is involved. At the same time, all celebrities must accept the fact that
they are bound to lose their privacy the moment they assume a public role.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 103
"The primary goal of technological advancement should be to increase people's efficiency so that
everyone has more leisure time."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 103
Starting from the Stone Age, man has been exploring different ways and means to make his life
comfortable. There have been numerous technological discoveries and developments which have
aided in making the world what it is today. The modern man has access to various technological
gadgets which have made his life much more comfortable as compared to the life led by his
forefathers. Moreover, man has become more efficient as he now has the assistance of
technology to carry out his routine work. There is no doubt that the primary goal of technological
advancement should be to increase people's efficiency, but creating more leisure time cannot be
related to either the technological developments or the increased efficiency of man.
The advent of technology has definitely made life better by improving various aspects like
communicating and traveling across the globe. People can now access information on any
subject from the internet at the click of a button rather than having to search through books and
libraries. Has the time that has been saved, utilized by the internet surfer for leisure? On the
contrary, he would be busy searching for other information on the internet which perhaps is not
all that important for him. Moreover, he may start looking for some opportunity on the net to
work part-time and earn some money in the additional time that he now has. This indicates that
the technological development in the form of internet services has made people more efficient,
but this increased efficiency of people has not led to the creation of leisure time for them.
People can fly to any part of the modern world in a matter of hours. Compare this with the
people in the past who took several weeks or months to sail from one country to the other. Have
these technological advancements created more leisure time for people in the present world? On
the contrary, people are much busier than their ancestors were in the past. People can fly to their
destinations easily and this has led to an increase in the number of conferences and corporate
meetings that are held in some other part of the country and employees are expected to do
extensive traveling to meet the company's requirements. People spend hours traveling to their
offices due to the traffic congestion on roads because of the numerous vehicles which are a result
of technological advancements. Therefore, it can be seen that technological development has
made man efficient, but its goal could never be to provide leisure time as that would lead to the
dilution of the standards of the technology being developed.
If technology had been developed with the aim of giving leisure time to people, then we could
not have reached where we are today. People would have leisure time if they could not travel to
distant places easily and so the companies would be restricted to carrying out their conferences
locally, thus giving their employees leisure time which they would have otherwise spent in
traveling. If there were no internet, people would not have been hooked on to the internet till late
in the night. They would have utilized the time thus spent for relaxing or going out with their
family. In other words, people would have got leisure time only if these technological
advancements were either non-existent or they were of a lesser magnitude. If we wish to see man
more efficient in the future as compared to what he is today, then the technological developments
will have to be planned keeping in mind the efficiency of man with total disregard to his leisure
time.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 104
"Money spent on research is almost always a good investment, even when the results of that
research are controversial."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 104
The modern world has reached its present position due to the sustained efforts of researchers and
scientists who have discovered and developed the technology that provided the impetus for
progress in the right direction. It has been proved time and again that the results of any type of
research work have always been beneficial for the world. The results of research work have
helped us understand ourselves and our past in a better manner. It is likely that there may be a
research whose results could be controversial because of the fear of the formulae or theory being
utilized for destructive or criminal purposes. Nevertheless, the money invested in all types of
research is always a good investment keeping in mind the benefits that can be utilized from the
results of the research work.
Research work related to developing 'intelligent' machines or robots with a thinking ability has
been questioned time and again. This is because if such a technology gets into the wrong hands,
there could be robots designed to carry out criminal activities. It would be difficult to trace out
and identify such robots after the crime has been committed as there would be no fingerprints or
DNA samples at the scene of the crime. What will happen if a nation builds up an army of
invincible robots who are armed with the latest weaponry? Can they be defeated by humans?
There could be a case where these 'thinking' robots revolt against their creators. There are
numerous Hollywood movies based on this concept. Is the money being spent in such research
work a good investment? The answer is a definite 'Yes'. This is because one has to consider the
advantages of employing a robot or utilizing a machine that can 'think'.
There are so many gadgets in the market today that are termed as 'intelligent' because they can do
a small amount of judgment on their own. People who have used an air conditioner that is
designed to recognize the temperature of the room and adjust its cooling capacity accordingly,
will agree that such an air conditioner is extremely useful as the person using it no longer has to
keep adjusting its temperature. Washing machines that switch off when the clothes are washed,
electric cookers that switch off automatically once the food is cooked and doors that open the
moment you step in front of them are all examples of 'intelligent' machines and devices that have
proved to be an asset to the society. How can then the money being spent on their research be
termed as a bad investment? The controversial results of such a research can be conveniently
ignored in view of the facilities that can be provided as a result of such a research.
The results of any form of research become controversial as people begin to analyze the
destructive purposes for which the results could be used. Whether it is the research related to
tapping nuclear energy or cloning animals, there has always been a section of the society that has
brought out the destructive purposes for which the results could be used. There is no denying the
fact that any form of information can be used for a negative outcome, but that does not mean that
the money being spent on that research is not a good investment. The money has been profitably
invested, as there are bound to be some positive gains from the results of the research.
The government can take the decision whether to implement the technology or not, if at all there
is a high possibility of it being misused. However, one cannot deny providing the finance for the
research as we have the right to know what the end result of the research would be. Mankind
should be aware of the truth that can be revealed only through extensive research work.
Therefore, the bottom-line is that irrespective of how controversial the results of research may
be, the money invested in any kind of research is always a good investment.
GRE AWA Practice - GRE ISSUE ESSAY 105
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 105
"A school or college should pay its teachers at the same rate in all disciplines, regardless of
differences in salaries for related fields in the world outside of school. For example, entry-level
teachers in mathematics and in the arts should receive the same pay, even if outside of school,
math specialists earn a much higher salary on average than do specialists in the arts."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 105
Teaching is one of the noblest professions to pursue since one contributes to the society in a
significant way as a teacher. However, there is no denying the fact that the financial aspirations
of teachers also need to be fulfilled. Any disparity in the pay structure of people with a similar
job profile is bound to cause dissatisfaction amongst the deprived personnel and teachers are no
exception to that. Therefore, all the teachers of the same level in a school should receive the
same salary irrespective of the subjects they teach.
Today we live in a materialistic world where money plays a dominant role in enabling a person
to enjoy the luxuries that are available. Accordingly, a large number of students today are
inclined towards undertaking courses that are likely to fulfill their financial aspirations.
Educational institutions are also increasingly orienting themselves to offer courses that are
inclined towards this growing demand. However, this does not imply that other subjects, such as
arts have lost their significance as there are some students who wish to acquire qualifications in
these streams as well. Additionally, the educational institutions are duty bound to promote the
overall development of society rather than merely restricting themselves to the so called career
oriented courses. The idea of different pay scales for different categories is perhaps the outcome
of the perception that science is better than arts, which obviously has no justification. Students
qualified in science subjects may be better suited for the needs of the industry in this era of
technology, but subjects of arts do have their own significance in fulfilling the needs of the
society. Hence, the teachers of arts play an equally important role in the educational system as
the teachers of any other stream. Therefore, there is a requirement that they receive the same pay
as their counterparts in other subjects.
Nothing could be more demoralizing for a student intending to pursue a career in fine arts than to
see that his teacher is being meted out a raw deal. Moreover, if this trend of disparity in the pay
scales is implemented, then it is likely that a lesser number of people would like to pick up a
career related to teaching arts and this would lead to a lopsided proportion of teachers in varied
subjects. Educational institutions may have to appoint teachers who are not well qualified for the
job due to lack of well trained teachers, thereby diluting the standards of education. Teachers
play a vital role in the lives of their students. The students look up to their teachers as examples
to follow. The interaction between a teacher and a student leaves a lasting impression on the
minds of the students during this crucial period. Therefore, a disparity in the pay amongst the
teachers may have far-reaching consequences.
People with similar job requirements need to be compensated financially in a similar way. There
is no justification for extending favors to a particular set of people on the basis of the subjects
that they are teaching. A more logical approach would be to base the compensation on
qualification, teaching abilities and experience. Disparity in the pay and allowances of the
teachers not only indicates the preference for a particular set of subjects, but it also adds to the
frustration of those who have been deprived. Hence, it is justified to provide the same salary to
all the school teachers who are at the same level.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 106
"Creating an appealing image has become more important in contemporary society than is the
reality or truth behind that image."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 106
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. This saying holds true in the modern world where you
can consider yourself to have an appealing personality only if it appears the same to the people
who are looking at you. Everyone likes to be in the company of people who are entertaining,
jovial, witty, successful, wealthy etc. Therefore, it is obvious that creating an appealing image
has become very important in contemporary society. The reality behind the image is not of any
consequence as people can now hide their actual selves from the eyes of the public by effectively
utilizing their right to privacy.
The importance of your image in the eyes of others assumes alarming proportions if you are a
person whose career depends on his image. Politicians are an example of people who fall in this
category. It is imperative that such people create an appealing image for themselves or else they
may not get the kind of support that they require from the society. They have to show to the
world that they are honest, trustworthy and responsible. The actual truth may be far from what is
being projected, but it is necessary to present an appealing image or else the politicians are
unlikely to be voted into power. This is the reason why whenever elections are around the
corner; there is a huge drive to dig out the past of the leaders of the opposition parties so that
their images can be tarnished in some way or the other. All this happens because it is a well
known fact that having an annoying or disagreeable image will adversely affect the vote bank of
the politicians.
It is true that the actual reality behind the images is more important, but the bitter truth is that the
society no longer wishes to see the reality. Who would be interested in dining with a host who is
formal and has a disagreeable disposition? What if such a host is the owner of a business
establishment? He will not be able to get the best out of his employees if they do not like him at
all. They will probably switch companies the moment they get a chance. This is because no
matter what the boss is like in reality, all employees would like to work for a boss who appears
to be pleasing and this can be done only if the boss presents an image of himself that is appealing
in the eyes of the others. Therefore, the owner of the business will have to forcibly present
himself as an agreeable person who is open to discussions with his employees and is willing to
make adjustments for the comfort of the people who work under him. He may be an entirely
different person in reality, but it will be more important for him to create an appealing image for
himself if he wants his business to be successful.
The present society is easily swayed by the pleasing attitude of others. Everybody wants to be
with those people who are good to get along with and are pleasing as well. Therefore, it is
evident that it is far more important to create an appealing image rather than concentrating on the
reality behind that image, especially if you are keen on succeeding in life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 107
"Instead of requiring students to take courses in a variety of disciplines-that is, courses ranging
from the arts and the humanities to the physical and biological sciences-colleges and universities
should allow students to enroll only in those courses that will help prepare them for jobs in their
chosen fields. Such concentration is necessary in today's increasingly work-oriented society."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 107
Students are exposed to all subjects in their years at school. This is done primarily to provide the
students with the basic knowledge about all the subject areas. School students get ample time to
assess their aptitude for a particular subject and they are able to identify the career that they
would like to pursue depending on their abilities and choice. Therefore, there is no apparent
requirement for these students to take courses in a variety of disciplines when they are in college.
It would be a much better option if they are allowed to enroll for only those courses that will
train them for their choice of careers.
Today there is cut throat competition for gaining a foothold in any career. There are a number of
lucrative jobs that are held in high regard by students and these students wish to be well trained
in order to succeed in the career of their choice. Since there are a large number of applicants for a
promising job, the companies need an evaluation system by which they can separate the well
qualified applicants from the ones who are not suitable for the job. This is where it becomes
necessary to be specifically qualified for that particular job rather than having some knowledge
about the job requirements along with knowledge on other subjects that are not related to the job.
Everyone is out to prove that he is the best and the companies are hiring only those who are able
to provide some form of certification for proving their worth. This certification may be in the
form of a degree from a reputed institute or in the form of a certificate awarded by an institute
after passing their certification tests. A student has to be well prepared for all the tests that he
may have to appear for before he can succeed in the career of his choice.
For instance, consider a student who is keen on becoming a computer professional. He may have
to acquire certifications from Microsoft, CISCO or some other reputed institutions as added
qualifications. Such certified professionals are more likely to succeed in getting a good job as
compared to those who are not certified. This is because companies give preference to certified
professionals when it comes to hiring suitable candidates for a job. It would be a total waste of
time and effort for such a student if he has to spend precious time during his college days
studying subjects that are not going to help him in any way for his preparation for the
certification tests. Contrast this scenario with a case wherein a student is allowed to enroll for a
course that not only trains him for a career in computers, but also prepares him for the
certification tests. It is obvious that the second student stands a much better chance of succeeding
in his life and career as opposed to the first student who spent most of his college days studying
subjects that were not even remotely related to computers.
If you are the recruitment officer of a vehicle repair company which is hiring mechanics, would
you just pick up any college graduate or would you go in for a candidate who has done a
specialized course in vehicle mechanics and is an ASE (National Institute for Automotive
Service Excellence) certified vehicle mechanic? The answer is evident. There is no way that you
would select a candidate who has probably studied vehicle mechanics as one subject. It is
obvious that the second candidate is a better choice. Colleges and universities have the
responsibility of grooming the citizens of the country in such a way that they are able to create
not only employment for everyone, but also provide well qualified and trained personnel to the
industry. Therefore, in the interest of the nation, it is necessary that students be given the option
of enrolling only for those courses which will help them in their choice of career.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 108
"No matter what the situation, it is more harmful to compromise one's beliefs than to adhere to
them."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 108
There may have been many instances in our lives when we have faced the dilemma to either
compromise our beliefs or to adhere to them. How does one make this choice? It all depends on
your principles in life. You can choose to select the easier way out, which would be achieved by
compromising on your beliefs. Adhering to your beliefs in the face of opposition is a more
difficult task. Nevertheless, irrespective of the situation you are in, it always pays out in the end
to adhere to your beliefs. At the first glance it does look as though a compromise would result in
benefits, but in the longer run this compromise may prove to be harmful not only to your image
but also to your subconscious. However, this line of thought holds true if your beliefs conform to
the norms laid down by society, otherwise the opposite would be true, that is, adhering to an
immoral belief will be harmful for you.
We all have our religious beliefs ingrained in us since childhood. Everyone is taught by his
parents and his community to carry out his religious practices and rituals. If you belong to a
religion where you are not permitted to have non-vegetarian food, would your sub-conscious
allow you to have a chicken burger if you are offered the same by a person who does not belong
to your community? Even if you do have it, what will be the repercussions? The effects of such a
compromise may not be immediate, but they are bound to follow up as you move ahead in life.
You may be ostracized by your community, you will be admonished by your parents and you
may even regret it later on in life. Therefore, the better option would be to politely refuse the
offer and adhere to your religious beliefs.
Adhering to your beliefs will rarely lead to any harm unless your belief does not conform to the
norms of society. If you are of the belief that there is nothing wrong in taking bribes and you
choose to adhere to your beliefs, then it is obvious that this will be extremely harmful for you in
the long run. However, if you are of the strong opinion that one should never accept bribery and
you have chosen to be honest in your profession, then compromising your belief will definitely
land you into trouble. Patriots who stuck to their beliefs that their country should be free from the
clutches of an imperialistic power succeeded in freeing their country. The freedom struggle of
India is one such example. Could this have been possible if the freedom fighters had
compromised on their beliefs? This compromise would have weakened their principles and they
would not have had the strength to fight against all odds for the freedom of their country.
Your beliefs define who you are. Your identity and image are shaped by the beliefs that you
follow in life. It is necessary to be flexible also in life, but wherever a choice has to be made
between right and wrong; one should always follow the right path irrespective of what your
beliefs are. If your beliefs are morally correct, then you cannot be harmed by adhering to your
beliefs, but if your beliefs are in contrast to those of the society, then adhering to your beliefs
may land you in big trouble. Therefore, it is imperative that you choose your beliefs carefully
and adhere to them if you want to keep out of harm's way.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 109
"The greatness of individuals can be decided only by those who live after them, not by their
contemporaries."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 109
How does one decide the greatness of a person? It would be unjust to claim that that the people
who live after that person are the only ones who can pass a judgment on his greatness. The
people who have lived with him are equally responsible for elevating the person's status to that
of a great personality. Therefore, a person's greatness can be evaluated not only by the people
who live after him, but also by the people who belong to the same generation and are his
contemporaries.
The effects of a person's actions may be seen years after his death. The history of man is full of
the works of such persons who were scorned by their contemporaries for putting forth ideas that
were opposed by the societies of those times. For instance, the society could not accept the
theory of evolution put forth by Charles Darwin as he related the evolution of man to that of the
apes. However, years after his death, people have elevated the status of Charles Darwin from a
common scientist to that of a great man. This is because he had been successful in putting forth
the theory that has been scientifically proven to be true years after his death. Galileo Galilei,
Copernicus and Kepler all stood by the theory that the Earth is not static and it is not at the center
of the universe and their theory was not accepted by their contemporaries. Galileo was even
charged with blasphemy by the Pope. However, today we all know that the earth revolves around
the sun and these scientists have found their way into our history books as great men.
On the contrary, if one considers the works of artists and writers, it is seen that most of these
people were given due credit for their work by their contemporaries. Writers like Shakespeare,
Mark Twain, Robert Frost etc, were held in high regard by their contemporaries and these good
reviews helped in making these writers great in their field of work. Painters and musicians like
Leonardo DaVinci, Mozart and Beethoven were all admired by their contemporaries for their
immeasurable talent. Even today, these writers and artists are accepted as great people because of
the appreciation that they had earned centuries ago.
The efforts of freedom fighters can be appreciated by their contemporaries to a great extent
because they have lived to see the effects of being under foreign rule and they have also seen the
effort and dedication put in by the freedom fighters to free their nation. Hence, they will be in a
better position to decide the greatness of freedom fighters as compared to the future generations
who do not know the ill effects of being under a foreign rule. Therefore, the people who live
after the freedom fighters have long gone will probably not be able to appreciate their greatness
as they will not be able to identify themselves with the situation that existed long before they
were born.
A careful study of the examples quoted above clearly establishes the fact that it is not necessary
that the greatness of men can be decided by the people who live after them. There are numerous
instances when the greatness of men has been established during their lifetimes by their
contemporaries. Therefore, great men have been given their due by both their contemporaries
and by the people who lived after them.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 110
"In most societies, competition generally has more of a negative than a positive effect."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 110
Competitive spirit is an absolute necessity if you wish to succeed in life. This is because today
there is stiff competition to establish yourself in any field during all stages of your life. You need
to be better than your classmates in order to stand out in the class. You have to do better than the
other students in the standardized tests if you wish to gain admission to a reputed school or
college. You have to do well in professional courses in order to be handpicked by the leading
companies in your choice of career. Even after you are established in your job, you have to
perform better than the other employees if you wish to go higher up in the company's hierarchy.
This competition becomes even fiercer in the business community where you have to adopt all
tips and tricks for faring better than the other companies in wooing the customers. The need to
surpass your competitors has become so crucial in today's world that people are willing to go to
all possible limits in order to achieve success. This has led to competition having more of a
negative effect than a positive effect in today's society.
Competitiveness has now succeeded in creating negative vibes in society in such a way that it is
now difficult to extract oneself from the prevailing negativity. Consider a case where the top
management of a company has to choose a suitable employee for heading one of its departments.
Will the employees being considered for the post help each other by discussing how to prepare
themselves for the impending interview? On the other hand, each one of them might try out
unscrupulous means to ensure that the other candidates are not able to perform well at the
interview. It is just not possible that one of them will help the other in preparing himself for
being selected. The main culprit for this negative attitude is the competitive spirit of the
employees.
The effect of such a competition would have been positive if all the employees had discussed the
requirements and prepared themselves by learning from each other's knowledge and experience.
Each one of them would have learnt something new. If all the employees had the attitude that
they would be happy even if their colleague got selected in exchange for learning something new
from him, then it would have been a healthy competition. However, one seldom sees this form of
competition in modern society as competition rarely emanates positive vibes.
All forms of sports like soccer, rugby, cricket, car racing etc. are marred by events wherein the
participants of the opposing teams have intentionally hurt each other or they have resorted to
unfair means for winning the game. It is rare to see a game between two teams where all the
participants have played with a healthy sportsman spirit. Therefore, competition in the form of a
game has become a matter of ego and pride wherein the losing party always accepts its defeat
grudgingly. There have been cases where the players have even questioned the referee's decision
and misbehaved on the field. Can such games claim that the spirit of competition is positive and
healthy? On the contrary, this has happened because competition spreads a negative effect
through the society.
Who does not like to succeed in life? It is a known fact that success comes to the people who are
able to outrun their competitors. Therefore, the people who are not willing to accept failure in
life are willing to go to extreme ends to make their lives a success. This 'killer' attitude has led to
the association of negativity with competition. People regard their competitors as their rivals and
they treat them like they would treat an enemy. Therefore, it is unlikely that the effect of
competition will be positive as more often than not the effect of competition has always been
proved to be negative.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 111
"In the age of television, reading books is not as important as it once was. People can learn as
much by watching television as they can by reading books."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 111
Television is a medium that reaches a wider audience. It occupies a larger space in our lives than
books. It offers a bit of everything and is a means of entertainment as well as knowledge.
However, I do not agree completely with the given statement. Books are a great source of
information and knowledge. They have been a storehouse of information and source of learning
since time immoral and continue to remain so even today. People do learn a lot from television
but it cannot replace the effect books have. Both have their own importance and none can be
substituted with the other.
Television is the new age medium of spreading information to everyone. It is increasingly being
used in schools as well as distance learning programs. Students are benefiting from programs
being relayed from far reaching places. With the television as a medium they have an access to
the best teachers as well as the most authentic information. Today television is being used to give
information about nearly every field to its audience. However, when we compare it with books, it
can be seen that television has some shortcomings. First of all, television makes you a passive
learner. A student is only left as a mere spectator. There is no participation of the student in
learning from the television. On the other hand, books allow you to use your brain. When you
read a piece of information, it gets registered in your mind. This forces you to think about it,
thereby making learning more effective.
Secondly, we can read and re-read a book. That means that if some concept is not understood
well or is forgotten, we can go through the concerned books again at any time of the day. This is
not possible with television. A student is left to grasp as mush as he watches on his own.
Similarly, television also has another disadvantage of being time bound. The programs relayed
are done so at a particular time. If there are cassettes to be played, they also do not offer any time
for the students to absorb the information given to them. There are no intervals in learning and
this restricts the students.
Further, it can be said that books come in different formats. Some are specially designed for slow
learners while some include brainteasers for genius students. There are also books specific for
certain topics. However, a television study program is often a general program for everyone. It
does not allow variation in its material according to the nature and capacity of students.
Last but not the least; consider the effect continuous viewing of television has on our eyes. If
watching television is included in our routine to such an extent, it will only harm us physically.
Therefore, we should consider all the effects of television viewing before rejecting books
completely. Television is surely one of the most interesting ways of teaching. It provides change
to students, which is very necessary in any type of teaching. Today, television is increasingly
being used in classrooms as well as other learning institutes. However, it cannot replace
classroom teaching and books completely.
Television has been introduced to the world since a long time. However, books have survived a
longer period of time. If people were learning much more from viewing television and had
benefited form it more than books, it would have replaced books long back. However, this has
not been the case. There are lots of new books being published and read even today. Libraries
have been very popular amongst book lovers. Classroom teaching is supplemented with books
more than anything else is. Hence, I believe that books are very important and help in learning in
a way that no other means can substitute.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 112
"The intellectual benefits of attending a university or college are vastly overrated: most people
could learn more by studying and reading on their own for four years than by pursuing a
university or college degree."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 112
The author of the above statement advocates that studying on ones own is more beneficial than
studying in an educational institution for a degree level course. Though time and effort are
required for studying in an institution, I do not agree with the author that attending college can be
done away with.
Colleges and universities offer a vast variety of courses. While some subjects require little
attention, there are those that demand hard work and dedication. Take for instance, a degree
course in physics. It is not possible for an average student to understand all the concepts that are
new to him on his own. He needs a guide and a mentor who can direct his studies, channel his
energy, explain concepts to him, share his own experiences and consequently make the course
easier for him. When any person undertakes a task or undergoes an experience for the first time,
there are bound to be obstacles in his way. If he is made to undergo the same the next time
around, he shall certainly find some amount of relative ease. Moreover, over repeated exercise he
shall be able to guide a novice as well. A student who starts college level education, thus, gains
from the experience and expertise of his teachers.
Besides, attending college brings about subtle changes in the personality of a student. He learns
certain social skills that he cannot hope to learn in any other setting. Most importantly, he learns
how to cooperate and compete with his fellow mates. The experiences he has in college better
prepare him for working as an employee.
As opposed to attending college, the idea of staying at home and pursuing a degree course has its
own benefits. When a person is left on his own, he is likely to apply his own brain to gain
knowledge. He struggles to acquire knowledge and clarify concepts. This brings in him
independence and deeper understanding of concepts, in most cases. He saves on spending time in
commuting to college and attending classes. For an above average student whose understanding
and retention are better than those of an average student are, this saving can be exceptionally
valuable. Such a student can channel his energies and learn more by putting his time to good use.
Moreover, the amount of money that he spends on commuting to college and for attending a
regular course can be beneficial for buying some more study materials that he might require. He
can have his own routine of studying and can make a choice of the pattern he wants to follow for
completing the syllabus.
If a comparison were drawn between the two methods of studying, I would give preference to
attending a college or university. The presence of a mentor cannot be undervalued. He steers
your energy in the correct direction and keeps a check on you. While studying independently,
any child can go astray and end up spending time and energy in ineffectual pursuits. He could
even misunderstand concepts for want of timely checks. Building up concepts on misunderstood
basics could result in huge loses. Moreover, in the absence of expert guidance, a student could be
in the lurch quiet often. This would lead to his getting disillusioned, spoiling his course of study,
wandering from one source to another and getting confused, only credit to the absence of a
guide. Moreover, he would end up wasting money and time.
Instead of completely doing away with attending a university or college, a middle path could be
adopted, wherein average and above average students could be given some independence of
choosing their method of study. They could attend or miss college as per choice. Besides, they
could follow the syllabus completion schedule decided upon by the college, clarify their doubts,
and be in accord with the college routine. Such an alternative could help students pursue
additional courses or part time jobs, which would help them earn and learn at the same time.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 113
"Scholars and researchers should not be concerned with whether their work makes a contribution
to the larger society. It is more important that they pursue their individual interests, however
unusual or idiosyncratic those interests may seem."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 113
Each society needs leaders to guide, inspire and lead it. They come in the forms of social
reformers, researchers, scholars, artists, politicians etc. These people certainly influence the
society, either directly or indirectly, even if they continue with their pursuits in isolation. They
influence the society and steer changes in the way it thinks and functions. Though I agree with
the author when he says that scholars and researchers should pursue their individual interests
without weighing its influence over society, I disagree with his idea of pursuing extremely
unusual and idiosyncratic interests.
The relation between a society and its elements is mutual. Each individual of a society
contributes towards the beliefs, customs, strengths, weaknesses, ideas, rituals etc of the society.
With the advent of technology and the world's becoming closer than ever before, people have
more opportunity to influence others, even if their thoughts are radical and idiosyncratic. Even if
a person isolates himself from the world, his individuality cannot be disregarded.
Scholars and researchers are people who think differently. They are unique in their own right
owing to their capabilities to think differently from others and deeply enough to give us new
discoveries, inventions, literature, studies, theories, philosophies, scholarly works etc. Through
their works, they contribute towards the development of society. Even if there is no direct
consequence of their works, they inspire people to think differently by triggering the thought
process in the minds of people. They cannot be isolated from the society. In fact, a person is
branded a scholar or a researcher only if he makes any significant contribution and earns a name
for himself in society.
It takes extensive research to develop anything new. Research is merely the first step towards
any development. A research in itself is always fruitful, it depends on the society how it benefits
from the research. For instance, the thought of exploiting nuclear energy for solving the energy
crises in contrast to using it for warfare is completely the choice of people. The thought process
behind it is not to be blamed for the decision that the society takes.
Take the instances in which scholarly works come under extreme criticism by society. Such
situations also contribute in some way or the other towards the development of society. They
help to trigger the thought process of people. If the research on cloning was criticized by people,
it also gave people a preview of the times to come, where cloning could be practiced by some
with unscrupulous intensions. This way we are guarding against such practices and the research
is ultimately helping us. Moreover, cloning could be a good option for protecting endangered
species.
A creative mind cannot think to its fullest capacity until it is free from restrictions. If people start
thinking of consequences even before they achieve some results of research, they cannot hope to
create any such thing that shall not be criticized. Every research is criticized to some extent or
the other. Some go against environment, while others go against health. If the fear of criticism
cripples the minds of scholars and researchers, they cannot hope to make any remarkable
breakthrough. A creative and intelligent mind has to think independently in order to think to its
complete potential. Nonetheless, extreme indifference towards the society is not agreeable. One
has to keep in mind the long-term social consequences of his thoughts and research. There are
restrictions put by different governments for safeguarding against this, but scholars and
researchers should also keep a check on themselves.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 114
"Such nonmainstream areas of inquiry as astrology, fortune-telling, and psychic and paranormal
pursuits play a vital role in society by satisfying human needs that are not addressed by
mainstream science."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 114
Mainstream science is based on facts and theories that are established after years of research and
endless discussions. Astrology, fortune-telling, psychic and paranormal pursuits are not given
any importance in mainstream science. I support the idea of separating these two means of quest
for knowledge about our pasts, presents and futures. At the same time, I disagree with the author
when he thinks that these quests for knowledge are vital to society. I believe they are mere
distractions and people only seek satisfaction of their curiosity through these means.
Segregating sources of wisdom as mainstream and nonmainstream and the complete exclusion of
nonmainstream sources from science is completely justified. Anything recognized as science has
to be based on scientific principles and proven through experiments. Science is a study of natural
phenomenon based on observation and experimentation. There are no assumptions in science,
only facts interrelated to give us knowledge about our present and future. Take for instance the
Jantar Mantar in India, a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, used for prediction
of weather. Each instrument is an architectural marvel focused to precision. There is no mystery
surrounding the place and it is pure science at play.
Nonmainstream sources of wisdom, on the other hand, are based on prediction, assumption,
impulse, intuition, sixth sense; all of which hold no bearing in the scientific world. Astrology,
fortune telling, and psychic and paranormal quests are undertaken by those who do not believe in
themselves. These are signs of a weak mind that does not have the strength to face the future
unprepared. To top it all, there are ample predictions in nonmainstream pursuits but very few
solutions to help the situations. Those people who pursue such modes of knowledge are the very
ones who rely on fate and believe that we cannot control our destinies. They believe more in
soothsayers than they do in themselves. No wonder then, that there are innumerable cases of
touts who extract huge amounts of money from people who engage their services.
In my view, these nonmainstream pursuits do not play any significant role in society as far as
satisfying human 'needs' is concerned. They can be a means for satisfying human curiosity and
that is all. There is no human need that such sources can satisfy. We all are aware that the future
can only be predicted to a certain extent. When the predictions of science, which is based on
laws and principles, can also go wrong, then how can predictions by astrologers and fortunetellers hold any ground? Moreover, the percentage of people in any society that approaches such
means for prediction of future is much below those who rely on science. These means only put
one's mind at ease for some time. They rarely find useful solutions to the problems that are to
come.
Human needs differ from person to person. Where one might be more concerned about the
present, another person might be bothered about his future. Mainstream science has practical
solutions to problems of present and future both, nonmainstream quests, on the other hand, offer
indefinite solutions only. Moreover, people belonging to different sections of a society think
differently. The educated lot rely more on scientific principles, while uneducated people depend
on such pursuits to appease their disturbed minds and gain confidence. There is very little that
such pursuits contribute to human needs.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 115
"Because learning is not a solitary activity but one that requires collaboration among people,
students of all ages will benefit academically if they work frequently in groups."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 115
Learning is a process of acquiring knowledge such that our brain and our senses retain it. A child
starts learning from the time of his birth. He starts assimilating information and reacting
accordingly. The first school of a child is said to be his family. The next stage in learning is
when he interacts with society. Further, formal education plays a crucial role in education by
giving him the knowledge and experience that his environment cannot provide. Learning, thus,
cannot be achieved in isolation. I agree with the author when he says that working frequently in
groups shall benefit students of all ages.
If two people undergo the same experiences, the probability of their learning the same lessons
from the experiences is very low. Their individual differences are sure to come into play and
influence their reactions to situations. In an academic environment as well, the situation is the
same. What two students interpret of a lesson depends on their previous knowledge, experiences,
intelligence, attitudes, alertness, backgrounds etc. At the same time, the speed with which they
grasp information also differs. Hence, academic learning is also directly related to individual
personalities.
When a student attends school, he does not gain mere academic knowledge. Education is meant
to make people adjust in a society, to enable them to earn a living, to support others, to make
wise decisions, to handle the problems of day-to-day life, to live in harmony in a society etc.
When students from different backgrounds and having different intelligence levels interact with
each other, they learn qualities like sharing, sacrifice, competition, cooperation etc. At the same
time, they learn how to deal with the society and world at large.
When students participate in group activities, their chances of learning faster increase. We all
must have observed how students learn better from their own classmates than they do from their
teachers. When a student is not able to cope up, teachers often tell his intelligent classmates to
help him. The main reason for this is that learning improves when a student learns from others of
his age group.
By encouraging learning in groups, we encourage children to share their experiences. Take the
case of a college student attending internship in an organization. He is placed in a real-world
work environment and made to learn how to do his job and exploit the knowledge he has gained
academically and put it to practical use. In such an environment, he learns how to deal with
colleagues, subordinates, seniors, administrators, clients etc. He learns more this way than
through simulation
When people from different age groups interact with each other, the younger ones are likely to
learn more from the experiences and knowledge of the older ones. The older ones can, in turn,
learn social skills. They learn how to cooperate with different people, how to task others
according to their skills, how to teach new things to younger ones etc. Such interactions, thus,
benefit everyone involved.
There are some situations in which such an interaction can lead to a waste of time and energy if
there is a lot of disproportion among the group members in terms of knowledge, age and
background. Nonetheless, the pros weigh over the cons. There are more benefits of such
interactions, than there are losses. People should be taught in groups but judiciously so. Such
interactions should continue only until they are beneficial and limited to some situations only.
Definite aims should be kept in mind for fulfillment through group interactions and measures
should be taken to see that the same are achieved.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 116
"To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral
standards."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 116
It is not by mere appointment that a person becomes a leader but by the virtue of his deeds that
he casts an influence over people. Besides fulfilling his duties towards people, a leader should be
able to inspire them and set the utmost standards of dedication, sincerity, honesty, ethics and
morals. I agree with the statement of the author. A public official must maintain the highest
possible ethical and moral standards.
The role of a public official is to serve the people who have given him the right to make
decisions on their behalf. He is a representative of a large number of people belonging to
different sections of the society. They come from varying socio-economic categories and
unanimously decide who is to lead them. A public official is thus responsible for safeguarding
the interests of all people alike.
Moreover, he is under public scrutiny at every moment. Since people choose him as their
representative, he is expected to behave in accordance with their intensions. He cannot easily get
away with wrong decisions or unacceptable behavior. There are bound to be discussions and
allegations if a public official behaves in an unacceptable manner.
An unscrupulous public official might manage to retain his position but he shall lose the respect
people have for him. He is bound to be overthrown once people awaken to his misconduct. Once
the image of a leader is tarnished, not only is it difficult for him to come out clean the next time
around, it is nearly impossible for him to get rid of the stigma. People might never forgive him.
Take for instance Bill Clinton; one immoral act of his is not likely to be forgiven for long.
Moral and ethical conduct of a public official is given utmost value when people judge him. In
today's world, where corruption is rampant, people look for a true leader who is sincere towards
their interests. If a person is known to be dishonest, people shall never trust him with decisions
about their welfare. They would rather choose a person with lesser experience and exposure.
It has been seen that people forgive great leaders their errors of decision but there is no respite
for those who err morally. When a leader misbehaves morally, it destroys the trust people have in
him. Such damage to a person's demeanor is irreparable. Even if he is forgiven, there shall
continue to be doubts in people's minds about the sincerity of such a person.
Where a public official has to mind his conduct, it is equally vital for the public to be
understanding towards him. The moral standards of each person are different. Where telling a lie
for the betterment of another is forgivable for some, it could classify as a scandalous act for
another person. There are many things that leaders have to balance. Thus, there could be
measures that some public officials have to take to avoid a grave problem in the future. This
could lead to some misunderstandings among people. In such times, people have to be wise
enough to support their leader. They have to realize that the same yardstick cannot judge every
situation. Thus, where a public official has to maintain the highest moral and ethical standards,
people should be discrete while judging their leaders.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 117
"Government should not fund any scientific research whose consequences, either medical or
ethical, are unclear."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 117
The government of a country shoulders a great responsibility of keeping its populace happy. For
the betterment of its people, there are times when the government has to make decisions that are
met with severe criticism. There are chances that some decisions go against the nation in the long
run and the government is later apologetic about it. In some cases, the impact of a decision of
one country is felt by other nations as well. It is, thus, very essential that a government keeps in
mind the goodwill of its people, and the world as a whole, before any decisions are taken. This is
exceptionally true for a government in matters related with scientific research. Where I do not
completely agree with the views of the author, I cannot disagree with him either. In my view,
deep contemplation should precede any decision making regarding research and regular checks
during the research should ensure that medical and ethical consequences are foreseen.
It is only through research that we can make progress. Scientific research is like a chain reaction
and one invention or discovery leads to another. In most cases, discoveries are accidental but
inventions are a result of directed efforts. A discovery in itself is not sufficient, it is only after
research is carried out that the true potential of a thing is realized and exploited. One cannot limit
oneself while researching unless there are set objectives that one is trying to achieve. Scientific
research is not only for the purpose of inventing something new; it is, in fact, a means of
increasing one's knowledge about the various advancements taking place all around the world.
How else would any country be able to make use of any development taking place anywhere in
the world?
Since the progress of any nation depends on its government, it becomes obligatory for the
government to fund research work. Where funding projects is important, it is equally vital for the
government to keep a track about whatever research is happening. There are some medical and
ethical questions that are always associated with research work, but mostly we have to overlook
such issues. For instance, one cannot do away with experimenting on rats for research purpose
until an equally good substitute is found. Besides, a government has to decide pragmatically
what gains priority.
In most cases, the results of research work are unclear. It is only when experimentation is carried
out and observations are made, that the true value of a research is brought out. It is nearly
impossible to work upon a subject if the minds of researchers are restricted and their funds are
limited. In my view, research should be funded, but the medical and ethical consequences should
be weighed from time to time. It is not wise to freeze funds before any headway is made and
consequences are apparent. Take for instance cloning. We all know that cloning of humans
would lead to unimaginable tribulations. There is no point in a country's investing in such
research. Nonetheless, cloning endangered species shall help conserve them. For this purpose, it
becomes necessary for a country to research in this direction.
In today's world, it is essential that every nation be independent in terms of scientific research
and technological advancement. Countries that have progressed in science and technology are
the ones that are the most developed and powerful. Some developing and underdeveloped
nations lack the infrastructure and funds to support research while others like U.S.A. are leaders
in scientific development. At the same time, the governing body of a country should be abreast
with what the scientific fraternity of the country is doing and should impose restrictions
wherever necessary.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 118
"Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carrying
out the will of the people whom they serve."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 118
The government of a nation is meant to serve its people and take care of its present and future
well-being. In any country, it is not possible for any government to survive if it does not satisfy
its compatriots. When people are not happy with their leaders, there is bound to be revolt,
agitation and defiance of the government's decisions. Nonetheless, it is not wise for any
government and its officials to 'unquestioningly' accept the demands of its people. There has to
be contemplation over every decision that a government makes and over every requirement of
the public. I agree with the given statement, mainly owing to the word 'unquestioningly.'
It is the duty of any government to look after its people. No matter which form of government a
country follows, the government is to put the interests of its people before any other agenda.
Well being of its people is the sole criteria that a government should consider while making any
decisions. When the government, its decisions and policies do not satisfy people, they are sure to
revolt. The uprising of Indians against British and the recent revolt of Tibetans against China and
are such examples. Such revolts are even seen at lower levels of organization of public. If a state
is not happy with the way its leaders function, there are revolts and agitation against them.
Though the society has to be satisfied, it is not wise for any government to listen to its people
without questioning their opinions.
Every society is composed of people from different classes. There are those who are poor,
middle class and rich. Similarly, a society can also be classified according to the occupations of
people. There are businessmen, salaried employees, entrepreneurs, private and public sector
employees in every society. The requirements of each category of people are different and so are
their expectations from the government. Because of the differences that exist in its people, it is
very rare that unanimous opinions exist. It is then the government's duty to reach a decision that
is acceptable by one and all. For everyone to be satisfied, it is required that each opinion be given
due consideration and be questioned by the government. If certain claims and demands are made
by its people, the government has to question the basis of the same. This questioning has to be
done for ensuring that what people want is actually what they require. Never should a consensus
be arrived at without discussions and debates.
At times, there are policies of a government that are made by keeping the future in mind, rather
than a short-lived present discomfort. At other times, there are decisions that are for the
betterment of downtrodden sections of society rather than for the creamy layer. Such decisions
could upset one lot of people and satisfy others. It is then up to the government to consider
different judgments and take a tough stand. The government is meant to serve its people, but it is
a composition of leaders. The leaders should keep the interest of people in the forefront and take
tough decisions about things that they foresee as beneficial, irrespective of the opposition they
face.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 119
"While some leaders in government, sports, industry, and other areas attribute their success to a
well-developed sense of competition, a society can better prepare its young people for leadership
by instilling in them a sense of cooperation."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 119
When a young child is brought up, there are numerous things he has to be taught, many of which
are conflicting. While one has to learn how to be polite, he has to even be taught how to be
adamant when it is so required. Where compassion for all human beings is to be taught, it is also
required that the child be taught how to stay away from cons. Bringing up a child and preparing
him to be a good leader is, thus, very challenging. There are numerous debates and discussions
on whether a spirit of competition is more beneficial or a sense of cooperation is better. In my
view, both these aspects are important for a well-balanced personality to develop. Where
competition is required, it is equally important to learn how things can be done through
cooperation.
In today's competitive world, it is not possible for all of us to make our mark. It is only those few
who are motivated and capable enough that make a place for themselves in society. Such people
finally become leaders in their own right and inspire millions. For such people, the motivation
can come from any source. It could be an aspect of one's personality such as his sense of
competition, compassion, altruism, self-confidence, charity, leadership, intelligence, passion,
greed, jealousy, pride or anything else that could be the reason for his success. A true leader is
the one who inspires people to become like him. For instance, if we were to choose a leader from
the past, we would prefer Mahatma Gandhi to Hitler. Gandhi was compassionate where Hitler
was one of the cruelest people ever. His pride and determination led to his success, though he
could never win the hearts of people. Gandhi, on the other hand, was compassionate towards
people. He spearheaded the Indian independence struggle while cooperating with people of
different sections of society and became a true leader of masses and classes alike. He continues
to inspire millions.
Cooperation among different nations is a major reason why humankind is surviving. Without
exchanging our raw materials, human resources, food, medicines, technology, armies etc, it
would not be possible for any country to sustain itself. Similarly, political parties can achieve a
lot if they cooperate with each other for the betterment of the nation as a whole, though this is
very difficult to achieve.
At the same time, it is equally important for a spirit of competition to remain alive. Great
sportsmen insist on a compelling sense of competition for success. In fact, many sportsmen
provoke themselves by some means or the other to develop a feeling of vengeance towards their
competitors. Children perform much better if there is healthy competition in class. A bright
student among mediocre classmates might never strive enough because of lack of competition
and challenges. A student among those who are at par with him will strive to beat them and
excel. This does not mean that such competitive students should not cooperate with each other.
The challenge here is to teach children where the line is to be drawn. In the name of cooperation,
one should not be cheated and for the sake of competition, one should not fill one's heart with
contempt and vengeance.
It is not the sense of competition or cooperation that leaders require, but the judicious use of
these aspects. Though it is difficult for these two qualities to co-exist, it is vital nonetheless.
Healthy competition, wherever it exists leads to success and improvement. Unhealthy
competition will always result in degradation, either of quality or of morals. We should thus
teach our young people how to respect others, cooperate with them and compete for
improvement of their own selves.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 120
"Society does not place enough emphasis on the intellect-that is, on reasoning and other
cognitive skills."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 120
A society is a judge and its verdict is final. Whether it is related with politics, environment,
sports, entertainment, economics or any other sphere, society decides what is to stay and what is
to go, what is to be given importance and what is to be ignored. A society has great control over
its people, its government and its nation. No government can progress if its society is not
satisfied. No person can hope to gain fame if it does not win the hearts of people. In fact, the
success of any person or thing is determined by how well society receives it.
We need to appreciate that a society is generally divided into separate classes. The strength of
these classes determines how the society reacts to situations, people, ideas, things, decisions,
laws etc. If a society is dominated by economically weak people, the society on the whole shall
make decisions favoring the interests of its poor people. Similarly, a society that is economically
sound shall have corresponding preferences. Thus, the likes and dislikes of a society depend on
its dominating populace. However, this influence is more rampant in matters related to socioeconomic and political decisions. This influence is not extended to other aspects, especially
when it comes to appreciating intellect and progressive thinking.
Human beings in general prefer progress. Every individual yearns for progress and advancement.
We all want that our tomorrow should be better than our today and our next generation builds up
on what we have. It is for this basic intention of improving our lives that we have an innate
appreciation for intellect. It is our appreciation of intellect that makes us appreciate the works of
Einstein, Galileo, Newton, Aryabhatta etc, decades after they are gone.
Apart from the scientific world, even in our day-to day lives, we emphasize on intelligence. Take
for instance any child. He is likely to be recognized for his quick grasp of things rather than for
other skill. In schools, children who are intelligent always have an edge over those who are
remarkable in other activities. Besides, we prefer to be in the company of intelligent people,
rather than talented people, for intelligence of others gives our own thought process a stimulation
and we learn more in their company.
It is not a wonder then that most great leaders of our societies are men who are intelligent. They
are men who can find solutions to problems that are suitable to all. Were they not intelligent,
they wouldn't be able to hold the trust of people for long. It is for this reason that we give more
importance to intelligent and educated people. There is more value attached to a person who is
educated and exhibits his intelligence in diverse situations than there is for a person who is
uneducated and mediocre.
As far as laying emphasis on cognitive skills is concerned, there is a lot that is being done by
society. Intelligence is a measure for a person's worth; we encourage children to develop
reasoning skills, schools and colleges grant scholarships and hold competitions to appreciate
intelligent students, governments give financial aids to intelligent and innovative thinkers,
debates and discussions among socially eminent personalities are a common sight in media.
Thus, emphasis on cognitive skills is abundant but one cannot say whether it is enough or not.
There is no means of measuring such a quantity and the word 'enough' is relative from person to
person. What might be enough for a particular society or person might not be sufficient for
another. Thus, this issue is more personal than general.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 121
"The study of history places too much emphasis on individuals. The most significant movements
were made possible not by famous few, but by groups of people whose identities have been long
been forgotten"
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 121
History literally means the study of past. It give us details of past events, earlier civilizations,
their trends, belief, activities as well as their achievements and failures which help us in
understanding their culture, thereby relating it to the present. Along with this, history places
importance on lives and accomplishments of eminent personalities, who made a difference in one
way or the other.
The issue whether people at large or individuals in particular deserve more emphasis in history is
not debatable, as history is a blend of both. If on one hand Indus Valley civilization reveals the
architectural knowledge and life style of people of Harappa culture, then on the other hand study
of Gupta period not only tells us about the society in general, but also about the specific
achievements of the rulers of Gupta empire.
An individual is a part of society and his/her success in any of the fields, be it in politics, science,
literature, sports, would not be possible without the role and influence of the society. None of the
important events in history is merely caused by an individual. For instance in the history of
India's struggle for independence from the British even the likes of Gandhi and Nehru could not
have done much without the support of common men. It was the desire and participation of the
whole of the nation that brought the revolution and gave India her freedom. Still names of
Gandhi Nehru, Subhash, Azad, Sarojini Naidu, Lala Lajpat Rai are few that are mentioned above
all which is quite justified keeping in mind their grit and determination. Though the role of
common men can not be overlooked it was the extraordinary zeal and effort of these few men
who motivated the rest towards independence.
Likewise king Ashoka, a devout follower of Buddhism, is known to have established a golden
era owing to peace and prosperity in his empire. One may question if it is right to credit Ashoka
as an individual, instead of Buddhism-a religion followed by many. Ashoka's achievements are
lamented in history because he utilized his power, resources and wisdom to the fullest. Under the
influence of the religion, he not only gave a boost to the spread of Buddhism but also practiced
religious tolerance.
Similarly, there may be many such instances where more emphasis is laid upon a few individuals
rather the larger group responsible for the cause. It is to be understood that these chosen few are
highlighted because of their catalytic role played in the past. The few who took initiative, led and
helped in accelerating the mass movements were the personalities whose lives, principles and
achievements can be a source of inspiration for others. It would not be a biased practice to
highlight such individuals who were the faces in crowd and led lives worth emulating. Moreover,
it is not feasible to keep a record and discuss each individual of a group.
Analogously, each day as it passes becomes a part of history. However, not everyday and not
every incident deserves a mention. Events that brought important changes and the men who were
the driving force behind such activities are the ones who truly created history. Eventually the
turning points produced either by sections of people or by individuals form history, without any
bias.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 122
"Imaginative works such as novels, plays, films, fairy tales, and legends present a more accurate
and meaningful picture of human experience than do factual accounts. Because the creators of
fiction shape and focus reality rather than report on it literally, their creations have a more lasting
significance."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 122
Creative work calls for imagination, which knows no bounds. The inherent quality of
imagination is to explore all aspects of a situation, both possible and not possible. Imaginative
work is more appealing because it covers the details of an event like the why(s), if(s), but(s) and
consequences relevant to various human experiences, unlike the factual accounts that objectively
report the facts and happenings as they occur.
In works of imagination, like novels, plays, and films, an ideal situation can be well exemplified
without actually waiting for it to occur. For instance, a character in a novel can possess all the
desirable qualities to be imbibed in children. Similarly, tales of fairies and demons can help in
clearly distinguishing between good and evil. Further, literature definitely has a more powerful
impact on the minds of readers. No doubt, factual accounts of past familiarize us with history,
but adventurous expeditions, horrors of wars and natural calamities expressed through poetry,
plays and stories, makes a potent influence. In the same way, novels dwell upon the characters
involved and reveal much more about human psychology and its scope. They include details of
the circumstances and their effects, as how one is pushed towards a certain crime or what goes
into the mind of the culprit during and after the crime.
Though, we all strive to be a part of society in general, but it is a well known fact that every
individual is unique and is bound to react differently to the same set of given situations. These
are the very aspects discovered through films, novels and plays. Thus a work of fiction which is
partly imaginative and partly unreal, gives real insight into human experiences. In other words,
fiction is an art of expressing facts with a human touch. It is not just an innovative and imaginary
piece of art, but it is reality presented without any binding of political, social, religious or
economical class.
If fictional description were not inspired by reality, people would not have related to it and
literature, films, novels, etc. would not have been so popular. To quote examples from films,
most of the depictions are already known to us through real life experiences, but their
presentation is such that they can make us happy, sad, and empathetic. Such an approach surely
enlightens us more meaningfully.
Equivalently, if one goes merely by the factual accounts, all virtues and values in today's world
seems to be doomed by greed violence and corruption. Although the legends in epics like
Ramayana and Mahabharata appear as fictional creations, there is something so real and ideal
about them that till date people look up to them for guidance of the inner self. The heroic deeds,
the sacrifices, the wisdom exhibited, and hardships undertaken to follow their principles via the
path of righteousness, sets high standards for all.
To summarize, it is established that compared to facts, creative and imaginative work focuses
more on details of reality and shapes up the human experiences more influentially, thereby
creating an impact that lasts longer.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 123
"In order to improve the quality of instruction at the college and university level, all faculty
should be required to spend time working outside the academic world in professions relevant to
the courses they teach."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 123
Education prepares us for life by enlightening us with knowledge. Though knowledge is present
all around us, it is an educator who imparts knowledge to us. Educational institutes serve as
platforms for the interaction between the learner and learned and their faculty enables one to
independently face the world. In other words, the quality of education at university and college
levels plays a vital role in giving economic independence to an individual.
The faculty of an educational institute primarily consists of lecturers, professors, lab attendants
and activity in-charges. In spite of plenty of books and internet information available, an
educator plays a significant role in giving instructions such that a complex topic is
comprehended easily by his students.
To train an individual such that he does well in a chosen profession, it is not necessary that the
faculties should practice that particular profession. The strength of an educator lies in his
communication skills and ability to transform topics from complex to easy. For instance, a
language teacher should be able to develop an understanding of his subject. He should be capable
of explaining difficult comprehensions and poems with ease and develop the skill of critical
analysis in the students along with a liking for his subject. For all this he need not be an author or
poet himself. Likewise, a mathematics professor need not be a mathematician who develops
different techniques to approach a problem, invents new formulae and theories, unless compelled
by his own choice. He is to explain different topics in an easy way, and develop problem solving
skills and prepare a sound base for the future mathematicians. Even in science subjects, the
faculty need not transform into scientists. Good explanation of scientific terms and theories along
with the relevant practical work in the laboratories would suffice for the ones preparing to go
into research work.
In addition to this, the trainers and passed out trainees pursuing the same profession may create
awkwardness, as working on the same platform may create ego hassles and diminish the much
deserved respect for the faculty amidst their ex-students. Further, frequent shifting from
educational institutions to the outside workplace may disturb the curriculum and concentration of
the students as well as the teachers.
However, there are a few areas where the quality of education can improve drastically if the
faculty members have some experience of working in outside world in professions relevant to the
courses they teach. For example, the research guides at the university level can give more useful
input to their students aspiring for research work in scientific laboratories. Similarly, all faculties
of professional institutions like business management, teachers training, training for doctors, etc
can enhance the quality of teaching by supplementing it with their first hand experience in the
respective professions. Apart from theoretical knowledge, it creates awareness about the actual
environment and challenges to be faced in future.
Thus, the role of faculties in colleges and universities is to prepare, guide and motivate the
students in recognizing their aptitude so that they choose an appropriate profession. Barring few
courses, the faculties can conveniently do justice to their teaching without working outside in
professions related to their subjects.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 124
"Education will be truly effective only when it is specifically designed to meet the individual
needs and interests of each student."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 124
Education imparts knowledge and plays an important role in the overall development of a child.
It can be given individually or in groups, in different ways like verbally, through activities,
books, computers, sports etc. In whichever way education is given, it aims at the betterment and
growth of an individual.
Every individual is unique. Whether it is the social or cultural environment, likings or dislikes,
strengths or weaknesses, skills or aptitudes, character or behavior, every child is different from
the other. To handle these differences among young kids, there is a need to design an education
system that intends to meet the requirements of students as individuals. This calls for a more
flexible and versatile education system. Although, it would not be easy to design such a system
where individual needs can be met, it would be a worthwhile effort.
In the present day, all the students are made to go through a regular curriculum and are assessed
on fixed criteria, already set. There are some who cope up easily but a large number of students
are not comfortable with the way different subjects are dealt with. Not only does every subject
need a special methodology for teaching, but different students need different techniques to be
taught. If some are good at listening, some may be better at retaining it, while some others may
produce it better in writing or verbally. Whatever may be the mode of learning preferred, the idea
of education is to gain knowledge and be able to apply it practically. A majority of students
cannot do well in all aspects but are good at something or the other. To evaluate all by one set
pattern, and grade their intellect accordingly is not fair.
A specifically designed education system can help students recognize their aptitude. There are
fairer chances of students excelling in fields of their interest instead of wasting their time and
potential in trying to excel in every field, which is practically too much to ask for. This will help
students realize their potential at an early age and shall motivate them. Education designed with
an individualistic approach will benefit the students more by training them in skills they have the
aptitude for. Not only will it lessen their burden of performing well in every discipline, but also
help them focus better. Since every child will be equipped with a deeper understanding of his
discipline or skill, it will help him become a more confident, independent and innovative
professional as well as a more content citizen.
All in all, the true purpose of education will be served if it is designed to meet individual needs
and interests. However, designing of such a system can prove to be a very taxing and
brainstorming exercise. Apart from highly qualified, trained and dedicated faculty, it will require
a very flexible curriculum. All possible ways of exploiting a student's talents will have to be kept
in mind. It will also need a drastic change in the evaluation techniques prevailing in today's
education system. An innovative, transparent, impartial and flexible approach must be adopted to
make individualistic education a success.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 125
Education encourages students to question and criticize, and therefore does little to promote
social harmony.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 125
Education brings a child from ignorance to enlightenment. It gives knowledge to a child by
making him aware of himself and his surroundings. Information of past and present truly
awakens the child. It would be a very cynical approach to say that education does little to
promote social harmony as it encourages a child to question and criticize.
Education creates awareness and enables a child to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad,
ego from pride and humility from slavery. It develops a deeper understanding of various
religions, belief, culture and trends.
In other words, it inculcates religious tolerance, appreciation and acceptance for people of
different cultures. Imparting knowledge through education is the formative step in helping a
child look beyond language, cast and creed. For instance, in the present day scenario countless
terrorist attacks have become a grave threat to the lives and properties of nations, all over the
world. The most dangerous are suicide bombers and it does not need much insight to realize how
these men are brainwashed and misguided in the wake of their ignorance or limited knowledge.
True education can develop in them an understanding of cause and effect. It can emancipate
them from the unfounded hatred towards people of different faiths and classes. Thus, education
facilitates people to live in peace and harmony.
Educated children grow up to be more responsive and well read citizens. They are definitely
empowered to select a better government which looks after their rights and well being. No mean
political party or religious bigots can influence them with petty issues and temptations. Educated
youth and men can not be misled and exploited in the name of caste, religion, state and language.
As far as criticism on behalf of educated men is concerned, it is something one can not do away
with. There are all types of people from different backgrounds and tastes. All can not think alike.
Something that is appealing to a few can be despising for others. This does not mean that
criticism is a threat to harmony. It rather implies freedom of expression which is again pivotal in
strengthening harmony.
Abilities to criticize and appreciate, are skills honed through education. Education also imparts
the skill of dealing with both criticism and appreciation. In comparison to an uneducated person,
an educated one can take criticism better in his stride. He is also better equipped to handle it and
can remain grounded on receiving applause as well.
Education plays another significant role of invoking curiosity and giving satisfaction over a
logical explanation. This develops an inquisitive and rational mind in children. From questions
asked in a classroom, a child gets encouragement to put forward questions as a citizen to various
governing bodies related with say education, communication, tourism or any such public welfare
department. It is the right of every individual of an independent nation to ask for a better and a
transparent system. It does not hamper the peace and harmony of any nation for that matter.
Thus, true education liberates a child from social or religious restrictions and biases. It enables
him to put a question and demand explanation when required, taking a step towards progress and
mutual harmony.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 126
College and university education should be free for all students, fully financed by the
government.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 126
Education plays an important role in the overall development of a child. For the harmonious
transformation of a student into a responsible citizen, education must be made mandatory at least
at the elementary level. To impart education to all, it should be made free at school level.
However, making college and university education free may yield adverse results. Students, as
they pass high school and reach college are quite grown up and aware of their aptitudes. There
may be many who would rather go in for a professional or vocational course. Others may be
more interested in business. The ones left out would be genuinely interested in academics. By
making university level education free, more and more students would be tempted to get
enrolled. This can result in unemployment in future as lesser vacancies would be available for
the large number of qualified students. To tackle unemployment, government would have to
adopt various methods like entrance exams etc. which are not very reliable in selecting the
meritorious and deserving students.
Moreover, due to shortage of appropriate posts, the more qualified ones may have to settle down
for jobs that do not honor their capabilities and hard work put in for the acquired degrees. This
will not only demoralize the overqualified ones, but also distort the image of university
education in the eyes of new aspirants.
College and university education, if made free, will heavily burden the government financially. It
will be not only difficult to provide the best of facilities like good libraries, laboratories,
scientific and sports equipments etc. but also challenging to pay the hired staff and faculty. In the
wake of lesser salaries, less and less people would be interested in joining the faculty. If the
deserving candidates would not be paid justifiably, then there will be deterioration in the quality
of education imparted. Making education free at university level may also reduce the standards
of education as students may develop a laid back attitude and may not feel the necessity to clear
the courses at the earliest. This will further deteriorate the standard of education and create a
huge backlog of students for the government to entertain.
Apart from the financial difficulty in paying the staff and providing appropriate facilities to the
students, there will be yet another challenge for the government to look after the other
employment channels.
Although education is a must, there are other skills required too in different fields. If all these
skills are explored and promoted well, only then can a nation be more independent financially.
The works of handicrafts, interior and fashion designing, sports, farming, etc. are just a few to
mention that need the government's assistance to flourish to the fullest. To be unbiased towards
all streams of talent and employment, the government will be under pressure to make all these
trainings free as well. This will be a difficult task to accomplish. Thus, making the university
level education free will put a lot of economic strain on the government.
Making university and college level education free will be beneficial neither for the government
nor for the citizens in the long run. Thus, instead of making the university education free, the
government should adopt other ways of channelizing the talents of the youth and also keep a
check on private institutions overburdening the students by high fee structure.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 126
College and university education should be free for all students, fully financed by the
government.
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 126
Education plays an important role in the overall development of a child. For the harmonious
transformation of a student into a responsible citizen, education must be made mandatory at least
at the elementary level. To impart education to all, it should be made free at school level.
However, making college and university education free may yield adverse results. Students, as
they pass high school and reach college are quite grown up and aware of their aptitudes. There
may be many who would rather go in for a professional or vocational course. Others may be
more interested in business. The ones left out would be genuinely interested in academics. By
making university level education free, more and more students would be tempted to get
enrolled. This can result in unemployment in future as lesser vacancies would be available for
the large number of qualified students. To tackle unemployment, government would have to
adopt various methods like entrance exams etc. which are not very reliable in selecting the
meritorious and deserving students.
Moreover, due to shortage of appropriate posts, the more qualified ones may have to settle down
for jobs that do not honor their capabilities and hard work put in for the acquired degrees. This
will not only demoralize the overqualified ones, but also distort the image of university
education in the eyes of new aspirants.
College and university education, if made free, will heavily burden the government financially. It
will be not only difficult to provide the best of facilities like good libraries, laboratories,
scientific and sports equipments etc. but also challenging to pay the hired staff and faculty. In the
wake of lesser salaries, less and less people would be interested in joining the faculty. If the
deserving candidates would not be paid justifiably, then there will be deterioration in the quality
of education imparted. Making education free at university level may also reduce the standards
of education as students may develop a laid back attitude and may not feel the necessity to clear
the courses at the earliest. This will further deteriorate the standard of education and create a
huge backlog of students for the government to entertain.
Apart from the financial difficulty in paying the staff and providing appropriate facilities to the
students, there will be yet another challenge for the government to look after the other
employment channels.
Although education is a must, there are other skills required too in different fields. If all these
skills are explored and promoted well, only then can a nation be more independent financially.
The works of handicrafts, interior and fashion designing, sports, farming, etc. are just a few to
mention that need the government's assistance to flourish to the fullest. To be unbiased towards
all streams of talent and employment, the government will be under pressure to make all these
trainings free as well. This will be a difficult task to accomplish. Thus, making the university
level education free will put a lot of economic strain on the government.
Making university and college level education free will be beneficial neither for the government
nor for the citizens in the long run. Thus, instead of making the university education free, the
government should adopt other ways of channelizing the talents of the youth and also keep a
check on private institutions overburdening the students by high fee structure.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 128
"Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of learning at all levels of education."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 128
Today's world is full of competition in every field. There is so much of talent around, that this
competition is inevitable. Whichever field one chooses, whether its academics, sports, business,
politics, entertainment or media, there is a race that everyone participates in to win.
Although, this is healthy and is a sign of progress, the quality of work suffers at time. The same
is the case with competitions for high grades. Students, at every level of education are so much
pressurized to excel that they start compromising on the quality of learning.
Students are pressurized by the parents and the education system, to excel in each and every
subject in terms of their scores. Instead of giving a choice to pursue for more knowledge and
develop understanding in the subjects of their choice, they are taught in a time-bound and
syllabus-bound system since their early school days. The evaluation pattern is such that those
seeking deeper understanding of a certain topic/subject are de-motivated. They are judged
merely on the basis of their score which generally calls for rote learning. The quality of learning
is bound to deteriorate when preference is given to those who can cram and reproduce, at least
till the secondary level of school.
In high school and colleges, in some of the disciplines more emphasis is laid upon application
based education. Although, this is a healthy practice, the learning is still exam oriented rather
than concept forming. Availability of more and more tutorials that boast of preparing the
students for competitive exams emphasize on short cuts and tricks to attempt the paper in lesser
time. The giving away of such techniques is increasing the number of aspirants who are grilled to
get through without possessing sound knowledge of the subject matter. This further increases the
competition thereby neglecting the actual comprehension and application of the concepts on a
student's behalf. Mostly these competitive exams end up judging the speedy applications of
practiced techniques and not real learning.
Besides, in a classroom both pupil and teacher are constrained so much by time and syllabus that
the topics covered cannot be explored beyond a point. The education and evaluation systems are
such that pupils, teachers, parents and even school administrations have to target the exams to
excel in the competition. Less emphasis is laid upon concept building and more on attempting
the exams. The very system of education, evaluation and selection are so flawed that even at the
highest levels of education, more weight age is given to scores when compared to quality
learning.
Though, scholars excelling with quality education can not be ignored, a majority of students end
up being rote learners good at merely reproducing the learned facts. The deterioration in the
quality of education is due to the growing competition for higher grades. This can be checked by
reforming the education system starting from the primary level itself. Moreover, methodologies
should be adopted to evaluate the understanding and deeper knowledge of students along with
their abilities to apply the acquired knowledge.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 129
"Governments should focus more on solving the immediate problems of today rather than trying
to solve the anticipated problems of the future."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 129
Government is a body that governs the rules and regulations of a state in the interest of the
people. It sets some targets for the common well being of all the citizens and tries to bring the
less privileged at par with others. A government's main motive is to look after the needs of the
people, best utilization of resources and implementation of ways for the development of the
nation.
There are a few issues that every government has to deal with immediately, and some that need
long term planning with foresight. It is therefore important for any government to segregate these
issues to avoid chaos and to work efficiently.
If on one hand, the problem of unemployment needs immediate action, then on the other hand,
the economic reforms should be made by anticipating the upcoming demands and problems. The
government must try to foresee the future prospects of any project undertaken. It must be in a
position to frame a tentative outline to meet the future demands, keeping in view the resources in
hand. The borrowing or sharing of the latest technologies is done with an aim to have a smooth
future. Since, enormous money is involved in adopting a technology and starting a project at the
national level, like constructing a power plant, building a highway, importing or manufacturing
aircrafts and ships, building a dam or railway line, the government cannot simply base them on
the present demand and supply ratio. In fact, it should have a vision to see the future need and
applications to avoid wastage of time and labor in the near future. Above all, it would be
blocking the money too, if the plans and projects demand changes every now and then. For
example, investing thoughtlessly in highways and good roads may need drastic changes owing to
the increasing traffic. Thus, it would be wiser to anticipate the future of traffic on roads and
accordingly invest in the different diversions on busy junctions, by-lanes and flyovers wherever
necessary.
Challenges like illiteracy need to be taken care of immediately along with long term planning. If
it is necessary to make the adults of today aware of the importance of education, then the
government needs to anticipate the future and provide requisite facilities such that no one is
disappointed by sending their children to educational institutions. Similarly, the law and order
problems need to be tackled at times by an immediate amendment in the law. The provision of
amendments in laws should be made with a futuristic approach such that the offshoots of similar
situations may be handled as well.
The issues of poverty, natural calamities, terrorism, need immediate attention. If only plans for
future are drafted to reduce poverty without taking care of immediate poor and malnourished,
then the futuristic goals make no sense. In a similar fashion, if means are adopted to avert the
situations of flood and famine without looking after the present victims of such natural disasters,
then such a government is a disaster itself. The vice-versa being equally true, it is a sheer
wastage of time, money and effort to wait for a disaster to occur, in order to provide relief to the
victims. Thus, the government has a huge responsibility of focusing on both immediate problems
of today and plan such that the anticipated problems of future are also efficiently dealt with.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 130
"The depth of knowledge to be gained from books is much richer and broader than what can be
learned from direct experience."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 130
Books are a vast source of knowledge. They give detailed information about the history,
geography, science, literature, religion and social trends of different places all over the world.
They give descriptions of other planets which is difficult for a common man to acquire through
direct experience. Although, the significance of books can not be undermined, learning through
direct experience has its own importance.
While books can guide us in dealing with people of different psychologies, it is first hand
experience that makes us truly successful at it. For instance, there are many well qualified
parents who are not half as good as the teachers of their tiny tots, when it comes to teaching. The
teachers not only apply their training for the job but also keep learning through their direct
dealings with so many kids, year after year. Without experience, even the over qualified can not
do justice to a job.
The importance of learning-by-doing is reflected in almost all the subjects being studied at
school. Though there are text books for knowledge and guidance, one must practice mathematics
to actually solve the problems. Similarly, all the reading of text can not make a child well
conversant in languages unless practice through conversation is done. If books are sources of
facts and theories in science subjects, then an equal emphasis is laid upon experiments. This is
for the simple reason that direct experience has a more lasting effect. Besides, it becomes easy to
accept and relate to different established laws, when one verifies them practically.
The science and social science exhibitions held annually, further strengthen the fact that learning
by direct experience plays a vital role in consolidating the acquired knowledge. Thus, these
exhibitions include various projects in the form of static models, working models, displays,
activities and even experiments. In addition to this, students are taken to public service centers
like banks, hospitals, railway stations, etc. to give first hand experience
Above and beyond this, tours and expeditions are organized in the form of educational trips to
familiarize students with different states/countries in order to develop in them a better
understanding of those places, their weather, people and their culture.
Identically, although there are plenty of well written books on various computer languages and
software available, it is practically impossible to retain and apply that knowledge without the
direct experience of working on a computer. In the same fashion, one may gather various text
books on rules and regulations and techniques to play different sports like cricket, hockey, chess,
and badminton, but the actual learning can take place only after the direct experience of playing
the sport itself. A doctor or lawyer may study a lot through text books to gain knowledge, but it
is through real life experience of treating the patient or prosecuting a criminal, that they gain
expertise.
Thus, it can be concluded that though books are a rich source of knowledge and guidance on a
wide range of subjects, learning through direct experience is vital for our day to day life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 131
"The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more problems than it solves."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 131
The pace of life is increasing manifold since the past two decades. As our lives become more
comfortable, they become more complicated as well. I agree with the author's statement that our
pace of life today is the reason for many problems, even though this pace has made us more
comfortable.
Contrast the lives we are leading to those of our ancestors. The complete way of living has
undergone a transformation. Not only are our lives more dependent on gadgets, but also our daily
routines, eating habits, priorities, aspirations, expectations, values, everything is changing at a
very swift pace. If we take a minute to ponder over it, we ourselves would be amazed at how our
lives have secretly changed. When we were younger, there were snail-paced means of
communication, limited sources of knowledge, traveling was more time consuming, lesser
financial security, fewer gadgets, lesser planning etc. Alternatively, our childhood was more
carefree, our parents had more time for us, our education system was less complicated, the
competition was less in every sphere etc.
The increase in pace is due to many factors that are interrelated. Development in technology is
the core factor responsible for this. It has led to improvement in communication and hence
globalization; the world is smaller and closer than it ever was. Nonetheless, can globalization be
the only reason why our lives are so different? Certainly not. The other key factors responsible
for the present situation are increased sense of insecurity and competition among people. We are
insecure in terms of finance, health, property, employment, relationships etc. Couple with this
insecurity, our sense of competition. We are constantly trying to outdo others and gain an edge
over them. Be it our friends, colleagues, family members, neighbors, anyone. We are constantly
racing against time to rise higher, earn more, have a better standard of living, and have more of
everything. In fact, the more we gain, the more we bother about securing it. This is the vicious
circle of our present day fast-paced lives.
The aspect of our lives that is the most affected because of this is our own health. The changes in
our lifestyles leave no room for exercise, recreation and indulgence. There is seldom any time to
relax and even if there is any, thanks to mobile phones and laptops, we are rarely out of reach
and out of occupation. How many times have you socialized with friends without receiving any
unexpected call to interrupt conversations? Sadly, our bodies cannot keep pace with these
changes. Besides an alarming increase in chronic diseases, there is a lot of stress that people face
in their lives. Though the average life expectancy has increased, it is basically medicines on
which our populations are surviving.
Along with physical ailments, our minds are getting increasingly corrupted. Humility,
cooperation, patience, tolerance, truthfulness, selflessness; such qualities are hardly innate now.
People have to consciously make efforts to inculcate such traits, where they were an integral part
of our values in the past. When it comes to children, parents are happier to see their child
competing to be the best rather than becoming a good human being. Since it is money that
matters now, people are directing their energies in one direction only. It is work, competition and
success all around us with our lives more comfortable yet more intricate.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 132
"Too much emphasis is placed on role models. Instead of copying others, people should learn to
think and act independently and thus make the choices that are best for them."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 132
Role models are those people who inspire us with their success stories. They need not be
renowned people; instead, they can be simple people who we come across in our private lives,
say a parent, a teacher or a friend. The author seems to be peeved about the concept of role
models; he feels they gather too much attention and people tend to copy them blindly. I differ in
my views from the author. I do not think role models are overemphasized upon, nor do I think
that they cripple our independent thinking.
Primarily, the author seems to think that we all have role models in our lives. It is true that most
of us are inspired by others, their tales of success, valor, values, principles, conduct etc.
Nonetheless, it is not necessary that we have a particular role model as such. Mostly, societies
have numerous leaders of the past and the present. These people leave their impressions in the
minds of people and influence them. These impressions could be permanent or temporary. In
most cases, they are temporary. How many of us think of our leaders and their ideas on a day-today basis? How many of us get inspired by the words of great men and remember them daily?
Certainly, very few. Hence, by and large, we do not have such strong impressions of these people
on our minds that we think of them in our routines. Take for instance the principle of nonviolence followed by Gandhi. Though we appreciate it, we seldom adopt non-violence and
tolerance. Leaders, thus, cast a shallow impression on our minds when it comes to acting on their
principles.
On the other hand, there are people whose ideas we do remember. For instance, a child could
take the example of his parents and react correspondingly in similar situations. There are people
around us who influence our conduct. This influence need not be very prominent; it could be
subtle and dormant. In fact, we could be influenced by a number of people without our realizing
it. Take for instance the teachers of a student. Each one of them has a peculiar method of
teaching and behaving. Even if students mock their teachers in their schooldays, they are sure to
remember them when they grow up and get inspired by their words of wisdom later on in life.
More often than not, role models are people who we interact more with. They are real people
around us and not those who we hear about but never meet. The influence of a person who we
see in flesh and blood is more active in our minds and more dominant in controlling our actions.
Now let us consider the author's idea of people getting influenced so much by role models that
they tend to imitate them. There is no denying that people imitate others to become like them.
Nonetheless, the percentage of such people is very low. Moreover, if you take a decision in your
life that is influenced by others, the decision is yours nonetheless. You are the one who has to
bear the consequences. Ultimately, the decision becomes yours, irrespective of who the brain
behind the idea is.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 133
"The media-and society in general-mistakenly expect an individual to speak for a particular
group, whether or not that individual truly represents the views of the entire group."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 133
When we consider a group of people, be it a small group of people in a locality or a complete
nation, we forget the individual differences that exist within the group. We take for granted that
the words of the representative of the group are the words of each person comprising the group.
Consequently, we expect an individual to give us the collective opinion of a group and disregard
his personal views and those of the members of the group. We tend to believe his words to be the
unanimous opinion.
There are two types of leaders or spokespersons for any group. Firstly, there are those whom
people appoint and who hold a legal authority to voice the views of their set and the second type
is of those who are self-appointed. They choose to voice their views, which need not be a true
representation of the ideas of their entire group. The problem arises when people misunderstand
such people to be the representatives of the entire group.
The role of media in spreading awareness has increased in the recent years. Earlier media was a
source of information, now it is a source of investigation as well. The cutthroat competition
between media sources is such that everyone is trying to provide the latest information,
irrespective of the quality of information provided. Take for instance news channels. The
moment anything occurs in a place, media personnel throng the site and try to gain as much
footage as they can. Irrespective of the information that is available with the people on the site,
they shall endlessly interview them and try to extract as many details as is possible. In this
struggle, the public watching the telecast tends to think that the interviewee is a true
representative of the group concerned and knows the situation well. As a result, we digest what is
being fed to us and do not try to think of other possibilities. The media conveniently targets those
it feels like and paints a corresponding picture by highlighting the views that give it more
reactions. In fact, many a times the media jumps the gun and draws conclusions on its own.
Words that are spoken are misunderstood and unspoken words are assumed.
Imagine the chaos at a site where a stampede has taken place. There will be eyewitnesses as well
as those who have little information about the exact sequence of events that took place.
Nonetheless, all the people will be treated alike and people shall believe whichever version of the
incident they hear.
When a group is large and significant, in most cases, a spokesperson is appointed for
communicating with people outside the group. He is responsible for answering the queries of
people and represents the true views of the group. There are sure to exist some differences
among the people of any group, nonetheless, their unanimous decisions are communicated by the
spokesperson. In such a case, it is not the mistake of people and media to absorb the ideas as true
without doubt.
Another aspect that is closely related to the issue is that of the final opinion that people form. It is
not necessary that people take the views projected by the media as true. Even if the media and
society mistakenly expect an individual to speak for a particular group, we cannot assume that
others take the statements of such people as true. Hence, the consequences of such mistakes of
society cannot be estimated. Nonetheless, there are very few people who look beyond the media
to assimilate the information being provided.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 134
"High-profile awards such as the Nobel Prize are actually damaging to society because they
suggest that only a few people deserve such recognition."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 134
An awards is a prize or gift for a special contribution. Presenting an award is a way of honoring
and recognizing noteworthy work done by people. High-profile awards like Nobel Prize are a
representation of the topmost quality of work. I definitely do not agree with the statement that
these awards are damaging to the society. They are not a way of showing discrimination towards
people by suggesting that only few people deserve such recognition as is mentioned in the topic.
On the other hand, they are an encouragement since it glorifies the good jobs done by people and
brings them international acclaim.
Every good work needs to be encouraged. A child learns what is good and what is bad only
because his good actions are appreciated and encouraged, whereas his bad actions are
discouraged. Awards and prizes are given at every level, big or small. There are big awards like
the Nobel Prizes and Olympic medals, prizes and awards are also basic to lower levels like
schools and colleges. When a student attains the highest rank by scoring maximum marks, he is
given an award by the school authorities to acknowledge his efforts and encourage him to
continue the good work. Not only does this encourage him, but it also motivates other students to
work hard and attain good score. It gives them an incentive to show that they are no less than
anyone else in studies. The same is applicable to high-profile awards as well.
The very fact that awards like Nobel Prize are open to one and all proves that these awards
consider all individuals equal. It is not the greatness of the personality of a person, but the
greatness of his work that is recognized by such awards. These awards therefore offer equal
opportunity to all to exhibit their potential in their fields and prove their excellence. What makes
these awards high-profile is the quality and standard of achievement of the awardees than any
other thing. Therefore, it gives them the credit of rising from the general public and working hard
to achieve their position.
What makes the critics call these awards discriminatory is the fact that there is only one winner
out of many people. It is true that all people are measured on the same yardstick for their
achievement, but at the same time, the award is given only to the most deserving person out of
all who have shown excellence in their work. However, I believe that the award becomes a
symbol of extraordinary achievement and makes the winner a role model for others. Since it is
bestowed on a few people, it helps in defining the standards of excellence, which can be and
must be reached. Moreover, high-profile awards are not only to be celebrated by an individual
who receives it, but it is a pride for the entire field, nation and world. When a person wins a
prestigious award like Nobel Prize for his humanitarian work, it is not just a tribute to the person,
but to the entire humanity. Similarly, a person winning a Nobel Prize for literature becomes a
symbol of excellence and is the pride of the entire literary fraternity for his contributions. Those
who have not been able to get the award should get encouraged and motivated by these
achievements and bring the same excellence in their works.
To sum up, I would like to maintain that high-profile awards are not damaging to the society. On
the other hand, they prove to be a positive force and a source of encouragement to others.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 135
"The widespread idea that people should make self-improvement a primary goal in their lives is
problematic because it assumes that people are intrinsically deficient."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 135
No one is born perfect. There is always a scope of improvement in everyone and it can be done
with efforts made towards it. I believe that self-improvement is an effort to reach a state which is
more advanced than the existing one. However, I disagree with the given statement that the idea
of self-improvement is problematic because it assumes that people are intrinsically deficient. The
statement seems to be written in a negative perspective. I hold that there is a great difference
between being unskilled and being intrinsically deficient. Self-improvement can be made the
primary goal of people who are unskilled, however, they need not be intrinsically deficient.
There is no end of learning. It is a continuous process. The growth of a human being is possible
only if he keeps adding to his knowledge and improves himself. It only requires a realization of
the scope of improvement. A person of any age and status, independent of how perfect he is, can
seek self-improvement. However, this does not mean that he is basically deficient. Selfimprovement is equally required by a teacher as well as by a student. We can, however, not
deduce that a student is intrinsically deficient and needs improvement and a teacher is perfect. A
student can better himself by gaining more knowledge from books, teachers and surroundings.
Similarly, a teacher can add to his already existing knowledge by reading newspapers, keeping
company of the learned and improving his way of teaching.
A person learning the art of pottery may initially be unskilled. However, he could be trained in
another art and could be a good human being. This does not make him intrinsically deficient.
However, learning the art of pottery makes him more skilled than before as well as satisfies his
willingness to learn the art. Similarly, a doctor needs to keep himself upgraded with new
technology and changes in his field. For him self-improvement is important to keep himself upto-date with the latest advancement in the filed of medicine. However, it does not mean that he is
not good in his profession. He must be doing extremely well at a professional as well as a
personal level. Nonetheless, self-improvement will help him in improving his already acquired
skills. If he does not concentrate upon improving himself, just because self-improvement is a
problematic idea, as is suggested in the statement, it would result in stagnation and he would not
be able to progress professionally.
I would also like to add that for a person to improve it is very important to recognize the need for
improvement. If we assume that we are perfect and there is no need for improvement, we would
be left behind in this competitive world. Progress and advancement are possible only if there is a
realization of their need. It does not require a person to feel deficient and useless without
knowledge. If there is any requirement of improvement in a person, it must be viewed as a
chance and possibility to advance and progress. Therefore, the need for improvement should be
looked upon positively, which gives the opportunity to a person to better himself.
To sum up, I would maintain that I disagree with the statement that since it assumes that the
person is basically lacking in certain qualities, the issue of self-improvement is problematic.
According to me, self-improvement cannot be termed problematic since it needs a positive
driving force inside the person. A positive force is sought only if a person is intrinsically strong
and willing to learn new things for his own improvement.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 136
"To truly understand your own culture-no matter how you define it-requires personal knowledge
of at least one other culture, one that is distinctly different from your own."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 136
The best way to understand a subject clearly is to bring out its contrast with a similar subject.
Similarly, the features of a particular culture stand out when it is compared to the features of
another culture different from it. I agree with the given statement that to comprehend a culture
completely one must have the knowledge of another culture as well. However, I also believe that
all cultures share some basic features and are influenced by each other. The understanding,
nevertheless, requires a certain amount of awareness about the differences that exist between the
two.
The quality of the colour white comes out best when it is seen against black. Therefore, to bring
out the true nature of anything it is best to compare it with another of a different nature. Every
culture has distinct features. However, if we see our culture in isolation, we tend to neglect many
of its aspects. This is because we get so accustomed to our culture that the salient features are
generally overlooked. However, when we learn about another culture, these salient features come
out as a striking contrast to the features of the other culture.
The culture of a society evolves from its social beliefs, political stability and educational
background. Since these factors differ from place to place, the culture also differs. This accounts
for different cultures, which can be American, European, Islamic or African culture. It is only
when these cultures are seen against each other that we can term them as traditional, modern,
backward, forward, conservative, formal, gentle etc. For example, the conservative Islamic
culture stands in sharp contrast to the liberal American culture. While Americans might take
their liberal culture for granted, its true meaning can be understood only when it is compared to a
conservative culture like the Islamic. Similarly, for the English people, formal courtesies are
inherent in their way of life. There is exceptional use of politeness in their language and gestures.
Therefore, it is considered a usual behavior expected out of everyone. However, the uniqueness
of this formal culture comes out when such a behavior is not to be found in other cultures. This is
not to be found in Asian culture, where people are comparatively informal.
I also believe that all cultures have certain features in common. Against the statement that only
by understanding a distinctly different culture can a person truly understand his own culture, I
believe that the two cultures may not be completely opposite to each other. This means that
virtues like honesty, truthfulness, sincerity, etc. are found to be common to all cultures. It does
not require a culture with opposite features to understand these virtues. On the other hand, it has
been seen that every culture is influenced by another culture. Therefore, there is an
amalgamation of the features of different cultures in one particular culture. In today's world, it is
seen that different cultures co-exist in the same place. However, at the same time, I would
maintain that the uniqueness of a culture comes out when it is compared to another.
To sum up, I would like to say that all cultures have certain unique features. However, there are
certain features that are basic to all cultures. The understanding of the features of a particular
culture becomes easier and vivid when it is compared with another culture, which need not be
completely opposite in nature.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 137
"To truly understand your own culture-no matter how you define it-requires personal knowledge
of at least one other culture, one that is distinctly different from your own."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 137
Success is the achievement of goals that a person sets for himself and strives to fulfill. Success
makes a person become rich, famous or achieve a high social position. Therefore, it brings a
certain amount of power in the hands of successful since they become recognized and are placed
at a position above the rest. However, how is this power used? Some people are satisfied after
they reach a certain position, while for some the newfound success could be used to expand the
already existing empire by making money and achieving further goals. On the other hand, it
could also be used for the betterment of society, uplifting the downtrodden and assisting the
needy. This, in my view, is the best use of success. However, not many successful people devote
themselves to a cause. I agree with the statement that there are many people who achieve
success, however, very few that make its appropriate and best use.
Success is generally a personal achievement. However, the formula of achieving success differs
from person to person. While some people adopt the way of hard work and sincerity, there are
others who practice deceit and shrewdness to reach to the top. Whatever path a person follows to
achieve success, one question remains, what is the use of this success? Is it the end or is it used
to achieve something higher and of more value? How can the best use of success be made?
Everyone strives to be successful and adopts different methods for the same, but very few can
give a justified answer to this question. For most people, the best use of success is to further
personal goals and interests. Once a person tastes success, its feeling makes him intoxicated and
he wishes to gain more power and triumph. This eventually takes the form of a cycle that does
not end. However, is this the most appropriate use of achieving power? In my view it is not. I
believe that success is not just the result of personal efforts. It is a combination of efforts of a
person and his destiny. While there are many who work hard to reach to the top, not all are as
successful. This is because of the difference in circumstances, situations and luck. Therefore,
those who are less privileged would not meet the same result as someone who is successful. This
is the reason that a successful person should not become overconfident but remain humble.
The success and power of a person should not only be a means to achieve higher
accomplishments but should also be used for the betterment for those who are less fortunate. I
believe that there is a purpose behind success of a person since he is the chosen one by destiny.
This purpose is to serve humanity and support the deprived. Success should be taken as an
opportunity to help the destitute and make things easier for the ones who find it difficult to make
their ends meet. There have been people who have set an example for others with their
humanitarian works. For example, Mother Teresa had devoted her life to the concern of the poor,
sick and orphaned. Similarly, Princess Dina was a famous public figure who supported many
charity projects as well as causes like AIDS. While there are many big names that have used
their position to work for humankind, many others are only concerned with personal gains. Many
politicians use their position and power for their own interests. There are many youth icons who,
instead of promoting high morals amongst youth, are involved in cases of terrorism, blackmarketing and underworld. This is surely not the best way to bring success to play.
A successful person may not completely devote himself to social work. I maintain that there is
no harm in aiming for a higher goal and achieving more heights. However, even partial effort
made towards the betterment of society makes it worth. I surely am of the same opinion as
mentioned in the statement that while people know how to achieve success, very few make the
best use of the same.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 138
"People have been so encouraged by society to focus on apparent differences that they fail to see
meaningful similarities among ideas, individuals, and groups."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 138
A society is formed of people. There are many similarities as well as differences found amongst
the people of a society according to which people have made self-created distinctions. Those
with similarities form a group amongst themselves and consider themselves different from the
rest of the society. In the process of finding the existing differences, these man-made distinctions
become so large that they surpass all other things that keep us binding to each other. I agree with
the given statement that the society created by man makes him focus largely on the differences
amongst people, which eventually make them unable to see the basic similarity that exists among
human beings. People forget that despite the differences there are many things that are common
amongst everyone, which are of a greater importance.
One might wonder what these differences that exist between people of a society are. While God
did not make any distinctions while creating human beings, we have created differences like
caste, religion, regionalism and nationalism. These boundaries exist in every society as people
identify with the people of their own caste, religion and region. Because of this, people tend to
distance themselves from others belonging to a different caste, religion or region. For example,
people of a particular religion follow certain customs and beliefs that are different from the
customs of another religion. They worship different gods, have different Holy Scriptures and
chant different hymns and prayers. These differences become the basis of their existence and
they forget that the gods and goddesses they worship are just different manifestations of the same
God. However, people do not acknowledge the existence of one God and instead go ahead to
attack other religions in order to protect their own. There have been cases where this religious
intolerance has resulted in riots and violence as well. However, what people fail to understand is
that while there are different religions, the purpose of all is the same. There is a greater similarity
between these religions, which teaches love and affection for all living forms, but this is
overlooked in order to protect the man-made customs.
Different nations come at war with each other due to the difference in existing ideas. However,
what we fail to realize is that there are common enemies like terrorism, pollution, global
warming and exhausting natural resources, which need to be concentrated upon. It is only joint
effort of all nations that can save the earth from all these things. This effort requires different
nations to unite and look above the differences in ideas in order to come to a solution. Similarly,
people of one region and caste consider themselves different from the people of another region
and caste. On the basis of these boundaries, people only focus over the existing diversity.
However, if we look at these differences with a wider perspective, we will find that we all are a
part of a single bigger whole.
As mentioned in the statement, there are many meaningful similarities which people fail to see.
One can see these similarities only if the smaller differences are surpassed and ignored. It is only
then that people will realize that all humans need love and affection. The basic desires of all
people are the same even if they reside in different nations. It is the behavior, humanity and
attitude of a person that make him stand out and not his caste or religion. The differences are
only a social creation and these exist only due to the focus and attention given to them. It is only
when people will realize the shallowness in these differences and willingly accept them as a
mere social construct that they will be able to rise above these differences and identify with the
similarities.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 139
"As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think
for themselves will surely deteriorate."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 139
It is human nature to look for shortcuts. When we have an easier way of doing something, we do
not take the longer path in order to avoid trouble. As the world is advancing, it is making our
lives easier. Many problems faced in the olden times which required a lot of physical as well as
mental effort are now only a matter of a few clicks. Since technology has entered every home,
office and school, there is an increased tendency to depend on it to get our jobs done. I agree
with the fact that human dependence on technology has increased. This points at the suggestion
made in the statement that the ability of humans to think for themselves will deteriorate in time.
However, if this is realized at the correct time, such a situation can be avoided. Moreover, this
may not be the case with every individual. The advancement of technology itself is a wonder of
the human mind. It is only when great thinkers and learned people think on an individual level
that development becomes possible.
Due to the advancement of technology we have now forgotten the pains taken to accomplish a
task as was done before any development in that particular field was made. It is only when we
are faced with problems that we make efforts to find a solution to it. We can find examples of
this in history where it was only when people faced the problem of traveling long distances on
foot and carrying heavy loads that made them think of a solution. This resulted in the invention
of the wheel that made their work easier and less burdening. On the other hand, when there is no
problem faced by us, we don't find the need to look for solutions and advancements.
The power of a human brain is unfathomable. However, it is important to keep the brain working
by performing mental exercises. There were times when people relied on their mental abilities to
perform calculations. This kept them mentally active and alert. However, as calculators came
into existence, people started performing even simple calculations on the calculator. This is the
reason why we are not able to solve a mathematical problem orally while our fathers, who did
not use calculators, are still quick to solve the same. This indicates that we started depending
upon calculators for every calculation, which made our brains dull and irresponsive to mental
calculations. As the computer came into the world, it reduced our mental work even further.
If a machine were not used for a long time it would start creaking and eventually stop working.
Our brain, like any machinery, needs to be exercised in order to keep it working. Therefore, it is
on us to exercise our thinking abilities and keep ourselves active. If we depend too much upon
technology and avoid mental exercise, it would definitely deteriorate our thinking abilities.
Therefore, along with taking the benefits of technology, we should develop a habit of thinking
and solving problems at our own. Students should be encouraged to develop a problem-solving
attitude by giving them tasks related to finding solutions. Similarly, we must calculate our
monthly budget without any help. Instead of turning to the interiors of our homes and offices in
the hot weather, we should think about the possible solutions to reduce global warming.
Likewise, it is only when we give a personal thought on how to save fuel that practical solutions
like sharing vehicles to schools and offices can be sought.
As I have discussed earlier, technology is a creation of the human mind. This development is
possible only because of the advancement of human thinking abilities. However, we must make
it a point that we do not become a slave to the advancement of technology and retain our
thinking abilities, which would keep the development going.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 140
"Colleges should require students to engage in public-service activities in order to assure that
each student receives a balanced, well-rounded education."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 140
Education is not just imparting academic knowledge amongst students. It is the development of
all around personality of a student in order to make him eligible to adjust and succeed in the
society. That is why along with cognitive development, education should seek physical, cultural,
moral and social development of the child. I agree with the statement that engaging students in
public-service activities helps in their all around development. I would like to add that this
should be an extension to curriculum followed in schools for children's social development.
Moreover, along with engaging students in public-service activities, it is important to inculcate
values like helpfulness, social responsibility and respect towards every work, even if it is small,
so that they do not view any task as a menial job, and have the willingness to continue doing it in
their later lives.
Each individual is a member of the society. Therefore, it is important that students are educated
about their role in the society. Every citizen of the society has a social responsibility. They need
to realize their responsibility at the right time so that they perform their duties well. College is
the pinnacle of students' education. It is here that they are finally prepared to face the world and
be at their own. Hence, the curriculum of colleges should not only include the academic part, but
must also concentrate on social education. If the students are made to do works like cleaning a
public park, extending help to patients like donating blood and helping poor to get food,
medicines etc., it will develop a feeling of compassion amongst them for the needy and also
make them realize their role as a responsible citizen.
It is often seen that the young misuse public utilities like water. Many times public taps are kept
running and leaking. No one makes an effort to close these taps and save water. It is only when
the students are made to do public services that they realize the importance of such things.
Therefore, if colleges step-in and encourage the students to avoid wasting water, and provide
clean drinking water to the needy, it will help in building up good values and guidelines for
them. This will encourage them to follow these guidelines throughout their lives.
As I have mentioned earlier, it is not only the colleges that should keep in mind the all around
development of a student, but the schools should also ensure that they form the basis for the
same. Therefore, the curriculum in a school should also include social education where students
should be taught the benefits of maintaining good social behavior. It is only when our
educational institutions help in inculcating such habits that we can have a healthy society of
balanced individuals. Such a step from the colleges and schools encourages the students to take
up the cause of social work and eradicate evils from the society.
It is true that each individual cannot become a social worker, or is not able to join a social service
institute, but we can do our little bit by following the path taught in colleges. Respecting the
importance of public property and engaging in a little social work makes a person more
conscientious and dutiful towards the society. These values surely go a long way in developing a
balanced and all around personality of a person.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 141
"People make the mistake of treating experts with suspicion and mistrust, no matter how
valuable their contributions might be."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 141
Survival and success in today's modern world is largely determined by your skills in surpassing
the others in the race to excel in your choice of career. Every field of study or profession will
have its own experts who have an in-depth knowledge of the subject being handled. At the same
time, there will be people who have not been able to reach that position due to varied reasons
like the inability to study or lack of interest in the subject. It is a common trend to treat experts
with suspicion and mistrust especially since the others probably have little or no knowledge
about the study or practices being carried out by the experts. To be more precise, people make
the common mistake of suspecting the experts of carrying out something that can be potentially
harmful for them or for the society.
If you go to a new dentist for curing a toothache and the dentist suggests that the tooth be
extracted, how many of us will immediately get it extracted? There will be only a handful of
such people who will completely trust the dentist. A majority of people would avoid getting the
tooth extracted until they have taken a second opinion from another dentist who confirms that the
same action is actually required. A dentist is an expert in his field. He may have made invaluable
contributions to the town in which he resides. Nevertheless, he will be treated with mistrust and
suspicion by a majority of people because the people themselves are unaware of dental problems
and their remedies. It is this lack of knowledge that leads people to eye experts suspiciously.
People make a huge mistake by not trusting the experts in their field of work. Such mistakes
have often led to grave miscalculations. For instance, take a look at the profession of politics.
Most politicians are experts in their chosen fields. They are capable of leading their country on
the path to progress. No matter how honest a politician is, he will generally be treated with
suspicion and every action carried out by him will be doubted by the public. People feel that
there is an ulterior motive behind every action being taken by the politicians. It may be true to an
extent as some politicians are indeed unscrupulous, but doubting the authenticity of a politician's
actions may lead to major losses for the country's economic progress.
Experts have the answers to the questions that may remain unanswered if common people try to
solve them. Therefore, it is for the benefit of the public that they instill faith in the experts in
each field and let them take the major decisions. If a flyover has to be built over a congested area
of the city, the architects are the best people to decide how the flyover has to be built. The
architects should not succumb to political or public pressure to build a flyover that is limited by
financial or other constraints. The construction experts will succeed in building a successful
flyover only with the support and faith of the people for whom it is being built. Doubting the
credibility of the construction company will only lead to protests and it will ultimately delay the
implementation of the project.
The main reason behind this attitude is the ignorance about the subject being handled by the
experts which makes the public feel that they might be cheated and that the experts are probably
carrying out their work for personal gains rather than for the society as a whole. Therefore, even
though experts may have made numerous valuable contributions to society, they have always
been treated with suspicion and mistrust by the common man.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 142
"Government should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 142
We have all heard, "Science is a necessary evil." Why was this saying coined? The reason is
evident as all research work in science has two aspects. The results of scientific research can be
used both for constructive purposes as well as for destructive purposes. The probability of the
result of a scientific research being misused assumes greater importance when the research is
being carried out by private companies and organizations. Therefore, it is imperative that the
government puts some form of restrictions on scientific research and development.
Research work in the field of nuclear science has always been a controversial issue. The energy
produced by nuclear reactions can be tapped for constructive purposes like generation of power.
At the same time, this nuclear energy can also be utilized for developing weapons for mass
destruction. If a private company carries out research for fabricating nuclear weapons, then it is
bound to make a lot of profit by selling these weapons to revolutionary outfits and other
countries. This would lead to a volatile situation wherein the power to cause destruction on a
large scale would be available with numerous organizations. Is this acceptable? We all know the
aftermath of the atomic explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Can we afford to let it happen
again? It would be worse if it happens at the hands of a terrorist outfit. The memory of the terror
attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York is still fresh in our minds. The widespread
destruction as the result of a probable terror attack based on nuclear weapons confirms the fact
that there is a requirement of restricting the scientific research and development of nuclear
energy.
One cannot refute the fact that the greatest contributions to the progress of mankind have been
made by scientists who carried out scientific research on their own without having to seek
permission from their respective governments. However, the scenario today is entirely different
from what existed centuries ago. In the present times, the quest to earn huge amounts of money
and fame has reached alarming proportions. People are willing to go to all possible extents to
make their lives more comfortable. Surgeons have carried out research work and developed
compounds like botox that can wipe years off your face by a couple of injections. This may be
useful for people who are associated with the glamour world and who earn their livelihood
because of the youthful appeal of their faces. However, what about the common people who are
now getting addicted to annual botox administrations? Won't these have side-effects? For how
long can one conquer age? If one does intend to remain youthful all his life, then is mutating the
genes of human embryos justified?
Research is already underway for cloning animals, but there is widespread speculation about the
results of similar experiments on humans. Is it warranted to have a baby that is the clone of a
popular movie star or a clone of his own brother or sister? What would be the result if such a
technology falls into the wrong hands? People can use this for creating clones that will carry out
crimes by impersonations. All this will be possible if the research work on human DNA is
allowed to be carried out without any restrictions. At the same time, one cannot deny the fact that
extensive research on human DNA has led to the emergence of the stem cell technology that can
cure you from terminal diseases later on in life.
In view of the above, it is evident that putting stringent regulations on scientific research work
would not be a wise decision. Nevertheless, there should be some restrictions applied by the
government on all forms of scientific research to ensure that the technology being developed will
be used for the betterment of mankind.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 143
"In any profession-business, politics, education, government-those in power should step down
after five years. The surest path to success for any enterprise is revitalization through new
leadership."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 143
Does a leader lose his charisma and competence after five years? The answer to this question is
debatable. People in power may be competent enough to handle their responsibilities, but it
would be a grave mistake not to give a chance to the others. It is likely that there may be
someone else who is able to handle the same responsibilities in a better manner. Moreover, since
the modern world now elects its leaders in almost all professions, it would be a wise decision to
change the leadership regularly. It may not necessarily be after every five years. The duration
may be further reduced or increased, but a change is inevitable for success in any enterprise.
There have been monarchs who have successfully ruled their countries for decades. On the other
hand, there are examples of rulers who were overthrown in a coup because the public found that
they were not worthy of the position of power held by them. If monarchy was indeed so
successful, then why is it that democracy has replaced monarchy in most countries across the
world? This is because there is the requirement of a change in leadership at regular intervals.
This change of leadership serves two purposes. Firstly, the person in power is aware of the
repercussions of carelessly handling his responsibilities. He knows that he can be removed from
his post even before his tenure is over, so he puts in his best for doing what is expected of him.
Secondly, this process ensures that new talent is given a chance to come and prove their
competence in carrying out the tasks assigned to them. There is always the possibility of
someone remaining in power for the next term also if the organization fails to identify a suitable
replacement for him. Therefore, a change in leadership is bound to bring in long-term benefits
for the enterprise in addition to success in all its ventures.
It is an exhilarating feeling to have the power to make people dance to your whims and fancies.
It is this feeling that is the reason behind the prevalent corruption amongst the people in power.
We have heard of so many instances wherein the people in power have misused their official
position for personal gains. Stories of embezzlement of accounts, fraud, bribery and nepotism
have generally been found in the front pages of our national dailies. These are all related to the
misuse of power by the people who have been placed in this position for the betterment of the
organization that they work for. A change in leadership ensures that such people will eventually
be removed after their tenure is over and the new person thus appointed may be much more
honest and cooperative, thereby improving the working conditions in the organization.
There are numerous students who earn professional degrees every year. As technology keeps
changing at short intervals, it would be a wise decision to try out new talent as they would be
trained to keep instep with the latest developments. If the head of the computer department of a
high school is a teacher who had graduated 10 years ago, wouldn't it be a better option to replace
him with a teacher who has recently graduated and who is aware of the latest technological
developments in the world of computer science. The school and the students will benefit from
the knowledge of the new teacher who can give an entirely new dimension to the computer
education being imparted in the school.
In sum, it becomes necessary to change the leadership at regular intervals in order to ensure that
the best available talent in the market is tapped for leading an organization on the path to
success.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 144
"Spending time alone makes one a better companion to others."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 144
Who is termed as a good companion? A good companion is someone who keeps you happy,
accompanies you, holds discussions on topics of common interest and is available for you
whenever you want him to be with you. Can these traits be developed by spending most of your
time alone? People who spend most of their time alone get used to a different kind of lifestyle in
which they no longer prefer to be in the company of others. Therefore, it is obvious that someone
who spends time alone cannot be a good companion for the others.
Everybody has different characteristics when it comes to their personality. A person may be an
extrovert or an introvert depending upon how he interacts with others. If a person is an extrovert,
but he has been spending most of his time staying alone, then this habit may probably not affect
his capabilities as a good companion. This is because he will easily be able to adapt to the
environment and mix up with others as per their requirements. However, if someone is an
introvert and likes to stay all by himself, then it will be all the more difficult for him to develop
the habits that are necessary in order to be a good companion.
Man is a social animal. He has to live in society and for that he has to learn the norms of society.
A person will have to inculcate habits that make him acceptable and liked in a group of people.
A person who stays aloof and rarely participates in any form of discussion is unlikely to be
popular in his peer group. One learns a lot by interacting and discussing with others. If you are
more interested in spending time alone, it may not be possible for you to be aware of what is
happening in your family, neighborhood or peer group. Therefore, if you are asked to accompany
someone, you will probably be lost when it comes to discussing the latest events in the
neighborhood. In addition, you may probably not be proficient in team games, thereby limiting
the contributions you could make as a good companion. If you have the habit of staying alone,
then you will probably be uncomfortable accompanying others to parties and get-togethers.
This does not mean that someone who likes to be alone most of the time cannot be friends with
others. It is likely that such people form long lasting relationships with others who share their
interests and who have similar habits. However, generally speaking, staying alone makes a
person susceptible to becoming an introvert and he rarely likes to socialize with others. Such
people find it difficult to strike a conversation with others and they feel uncomfortable in noisy
groups. They may be good companions for people who like to be clam and quiet, but it is not
necessary that they will be good companions for all types of people.
Let's consider a scenario wherein you have two neighbors. The first one likes to spend his time
alone and the second one is an extrovert who has a large friend circle and who is lively and
talkative. If you are sitting alone at home on a holiday and you want some company, whom
would you call over: the first one or the second one? You may probably not even know the name
of the first one as he is aloof from the others. Moreover, you will have a doubt that he might not
come over even if you call him. On the other hand, you may probably look forward to calling
over the second one as you would be sure that your boring day will be made interesting by
spending it with your second neighbor. Hence, this example justifies the conclusion that
spending time alone seldom makes people better companions for others.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 145
"One can best understand the most important characteristics of a society by studying its major
cities."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 145
As the good old clich goes, "when you are in Rome, do as the Romans do," it is understood that
Romans can be expected to behave in a manner that is represented by the city of Rome. In other
words, the city of Rome reflects the characteristics of the Roman society. Is this true in the
present world also? This clich may be questionable in the modern world because Rome would
now constitute of people from various societies who have chosen to settle there due to various
reasons like their choice of career. Therefore, it is now very difficult to understand the most
important characteristics of any one society by studying its major cities. On the contrary, these
characteristics could be better understood by studying the villages and small towns of the society
where the traits and characteristics of that society would still be preserved.
In the past, the major cities of any civilization or society were the economic, cultural and
political centers of that particular society. These cities reflected the true characteristics of the
society that they were a part of. However, due to rapid developments across the globe, now most
of the major cities of the world are almost the same. This is because there has been an
intermingling of various societies with people traveling far and wide in search of careers and
better homes. Any major city of the world would now consist of people who may have varied
origins.
Can a study of Paris help in understanding the true characteristics of the French society? The
answer to this question would probably be a "No". This is because by virtue of being the fashion
hub of the world, Paris now the home of designers, fashion models, garment manufacturers who
have their roots in some other country. Therefore, a study of Paris cannot be relied upon for
giving accurate information about the French society. Moreover, over the years, there would
have been inter-race marriages leading to a new generation that does not carry the traits of the
societies of either of its parents. In fact, the case is similar in most of the major cities across the
world leading to a generation that is not related to any one society in particular. On the contrary,
small towns and villages situated in the countryside of France will give you an idea of the
characteristics of the French society as these townships would be consisting of French people
who have been able to retain their traditions through the generations.
Extensive excavations in Pakistan had led to the discovery of the civilizations of Mohenjodaro
and Harappa. These excavations revealed the remains of the towns that were a part of the Indus
valley civilization. A study of these towns has shed light on the characteristics of the society that
existed in those times. The people of the society were restricted to living in these cities due to
lack of suitable means of transport for long distance traveling. They were probably born and
brought up in the same city and this made them follow the norms of the society religiously.
Therefore, a study of the major cities in the past would have given an exact indication of the
characteristics of the societies that existed in those times. However, the same may not be true in
the present context.
In sum, it is definitely true that a study of the major cities of any society helps in understanding
the characteristics of the society. However, this may not necessarily be true in the modern world
where the characteristics of a society are probably limited to its rural areas.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 146
"In most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 146
What would have happened if Thomas Alva Edison had not imagined a futuristic world in which
there would be an electrical source of light? If the early man had not imagined a more
comfortable life, the wheel would have never been invented. In order to progress ahead in life,
one has to imagine what the future holds for him and then only can he plan his present. It is
always your imagination that will lead you to success because imagination gives you an aim that
can be achieved using the knowledge that you have acquired. Merely acquiring knowledge in
any field does not ensure success in the long run. Your knowledge will remain limited to your
books and memory if you do not effectively utilize it for giving a shape to your imagination.
Therefore, it is true that imagination is more important than knowledge in almost every
profession and in academic fields.
Imagination is crucial for success in any field. The theories of science and all related facts and
figures are available as commonly known knowledge. However, path breaking discoveries and
inventions are realized by only those who dare to imagine something that has never been thought
of before. It was the Wright brothers' imagination that led them to experimenting with traveling
in air leading to the development of the first flight by a fixed-winged airplane. If they had not
imagined such a thing, people would have probably never even thought that man can utilize
fixed-wing aircraft as a reliable form of transport. The theories and knowledge related to science
were available for everyone living in that time. However, it was the imagination of the Wright
brothers that made them devise aircraft controls that facilitated the fixed-winged flight.
Another example exists in the professions related to the world of business. An enterprising
business entrepreneur needs to imagine how he can change the face of his business before he
utilizes the knowledge available with him for doing the same. Bill Gates is one of the richest men
in the world today. He started as a common man who had a vision of creating something that
would change the world of software. Today almost every computer in the world has one or the
other Microsoft application installed. This has been possible because Bill Gates had let his
imagination run free and he later devised the tools for realizing his dreams.
Art is one such field where there is no scope for success without imagination. Painters, poets,
writers etc. all have to imagine before they can put their thoughts on paper. Literary works by
famous writers are by and large works of fiction that have stemmed from their imagination. J. K.
Rowling is rolling in millions because she imagined a character called Harry Potter and authored
a series of books that revolve around a fictional storyline. This book series catapulted her to
instant fame and fortune in a short span of time. There are thousands of writers struggling to get
a break, and the one who has actually succeed in becoming a multi-millionaire overnight is the
one who utilized her imagination in the best possible manner. All painters have the knowledge
that is required for mixing colors and creating designs on canvas, but the ones who have created
a niche for themselves are the ones who have put their vivid imagination on canvas.
In view of the above, it is obvious that imagination is more important than knowledge for
success in any field. This is because all people have easy access to knowledge and so one needs
to be imaginative in order to leave the others behind and come up with something inspiring and
useful for the society we live in.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 147
"The most effective way to communicate an idea or value to large groups of people is through
the use of images, not language."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 147
Why does the education system pay a lot of emphasis on visual training aids? This is because it
is a well known fact that people absorb information better through the medium of visual images
as compared to language. However, this may not always be true. There may be instances when
language surpasses the effectiveness of images in conveying an idea to a large group of people.
Therefore, ideas can be communicated to large groups most effectively through a combination of
images and language.
A large audience may not always be receptive to what is being spoken at the center stage. Take
the example of a large gathering which is being addressed by a leader. Depending on the
acoustics of the enclosure when everyone is seated and the public addressing system that is being
utilized, the people who are the farthest from the center stage may not be able to even hear what
is being said by the leader. If the organizers of the event plan to install a giant screen on which
some images related to what is being said are displayed, the audience will be in a better position
to understand what is intended to be conveyed by the leader. We all have been witness to popular
award functions where you can see huge screens displaying what is happening at the center
stage. Moreover, these screens are used to display short clips for showcasing a new movie or the
lifetime achievements of an award winner. We all have observed that this is a much more
effective way of communicating with the audience rather than reading out lengthy speeches
related to the same information that has been easily conveyed by the visual images.
On the contrary, there may be certain cases where images are bound to confuse the audience and
it becomes necessary to supplement the images being displayed with spoken information. For
instance, the person chairing a seminar on a new idea for help in quitting smoking may utilize
certain images to highlight the side-effects of smoking, but he will have to resort to lengthy
speeches to explain the same to the audience. Simply viewing the images may not have the
desired effect on the audience. Additionally, the lack of spoken information may puzzle the
audience as they will probably not be able to understand the message that the speaker is trying to
convey. The use of language will assume greater importance when the speaker has to discuss the
anatomy of the human body which is most likely to be affected by smoking. The audience may
not be able to comprehend what is being displayed if they are not told what part of the human
body it is. On the other hand, simply talking about the issue without displaying relevant images
may make the talk boring and it is likely that the audience will lose interest in the talk that is
being delivered. Hence, there is a requirement that the speaker works out a system where he is
able to effectively utilize images to support the idea that he wants to convey to a large audience.
It is very difficult to generate interest in a large group. Lack of interest in what is being spoken is
likely to make people drift away from the discussion and they may start talking amongst
themselves or they may leave the discussion altogether resulting in the failure of the speaker to
convey his idea. Utilizing images and other visual aids ensures that people are interested in
knowing what is being discussed. If images were not all that important, then there would be no
requirement of ad campaigns which are designed to reach out to the masses for conveying a
message. An advertisement containing only text will probably not even be read by people, but an
advertisement with an image with the accompanying text catches the attention of common
people. Therefore, it is obvious that the best way to convey an idea to a large group of people
would be to try out a combination of images and language in suitable proportions.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 148
"The people who make important contributions to society are generally not those who develop
their own new ideas, but those who are most gifted at perceiving and coordinating the talents and
skills of others."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 148
People who have the talent to develop their own ideas may not be able to contribute much to the
society if they are unable to present their skills in a suitable manner. On the other hand, people
who have the inborn talent to recognize and coordinate the skills of others would be contributing
more to the society that they live in. In other words, most of the important contributions are
made to the society by the people who are adept at coordinating the skills of others and not by
those people who develop their own ideas.
The modern world is highly competitive and people have to struggle for their survival. Nobody
can earn fame and success on the basis of his ideas alone. He will need the assistance of a second
person who can showcase his talent to the world. Take the example of an individual who is gifted
with a beautiful voice. Can he make any significant contribution to the society without the
assistance of a music company which will launch him as a singer or release his music albums? It
is true that the owner of the music company would probably be doing this for monetary benefits,
but he would eventually be making an important contribution to the society by coordinating the
vocal skills of different people and creating music that can be appreciated by people of all ages.
The individual singers may be very talented and they may even be capable of devising new
music compositions, but they may not even be heard by the public unless they are promoted by
people who have the skill to perceive their talent and present it to the world in an attractive
packaging.
There have been numerous leaders in history who are famous for the contributions that they
made to the society. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela have fought against racism.
Neither of the two could have been successful in his endeavors if he had not been able to
coordinate a movement consisting of people who had similar ideas. Mahatma Gandhi succeeded
in freeing India from the British Rule only because he was able to tap the patriotic spirit that
existed in the people of those times. Wars have been won by military leaders because they have
been able to coordinate the skills of their soldiers. There are soldiers who may be skilled snipers,
while others may be experts in handling mortars. An army wins a war because the men who are
at the top in the military hierarchy are able to coordinate all the available skills in such a manner
that victory is inevitable.
There is no denying the fact that great thinkers and scientists have made innumerable
contributions to society by developing their ideas single-handedly. These ideas may have been
related to the conceptualization of theories or the invention of important devices. However, such
individuals will be outnumbered when compared to the people who have made significant
contributions by coordinating the skills of the others so that they were able to achieve a common
goal. Hence, it can be said that any form of success in the modern world cannot be achieved
without the efforts of leaders who can coordinate the skills and talents of the people who work
with them. Therefore, it is these leaders who make significant contributions to society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 149
"Truly profound thinkers and highly creative artists are always out of step with their time and
their society."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 149
It has been seen that in the past, great thinkers and artists have generally been out of step with
their time and their society, but it cannot be taken as rule. In other words, it is not necessary that
great thinkers and artists have always been out of step with the people who have lived in their
times. This is because there are examples of artists who were recognized and admired in their
times by their societies and the number of such thinkers and artists is now on the increase.
There are many thinkers and artists who remained obscure for as long as they lived. Their works
and achievements were given due credit long after they died. This is because the coming
generations were able to understand the real meaning and impact of the contributions made by
these thinkers in their time. History is replete with examples of scientists and thinkers who had
challenged the notion that the earth is at the center of the universe. They were misinterpreted by
the societies of those times and some of them were rebuked for voicing their opinions. However,
the coming generations recognized their contributions as it was later proved that the earth
revolves around the sun.
The reason behind the rejection of the ideologies of thinkers and artists in their times could be
that art and philosophy need time to be understood by people. If in the past, an individual came
up with a new idea, the society did not immediately agree to whatever he envisaged or foresaw.
He had to stand the test of time before the people began to understand the truth behind his
philosophy or his pieces of art. The erstwhile societies were rigid and they found it difficult to
accept the views of someone else who chose to defy the norms that were being followed or the
ideology that was being believed. It may be true to a small extent even today. For instance, today
there are a number of people who claim to have seen aliens and unidentified flying objects or
who have formulated theories of camouflaged aliens living amongst humans. There are
numerous movies that have been based on the same concept. Contemporary society may scoff at
them or probably treat their theories with complete disbelief. However, if in the future, it is
proved that aliens actually exist or they are indeed living amongst humans in a different form,
then these very people will be elevated to the status of great thinkers who had predicted the
existence of aliens and had created movies based on them.
Thinkers like scientists who were able to support their ideologies with scientific evidence have
been appreciated in their lifetimes by their societies as the people believed what they had brought
forth. For instance, theories of scientists like Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein were accepted by
the society in their times and they received due recognition for their work in their lifetimes.
Gautam Buddha was revered in his lifetime by thousands of people and long after he has gone,
the religion of Buddhism is followed all across the world by millions of people. The principles of
Gautam Buddha were accepted both in his lifetime and in the era after his death.
Contemporary society is more open to new ideas as compared to the societies in the past. People
are given a platform to project their opinions and the society is quite receptive when it comes to
giving recognition to some piece of art. There are numerous thinkers in modern society who have
a large number of supporters who believe in the ideology being propagated by the thinker. There
are many cults that have come up which follow an ideology of their own and they have been able
to garner enough support from the society as well.
Therefore, in the modern world, there is a greater chance of thinkers and artists getting
recognition as compared to the erstwhile societies which were more orthodox. Therefore, it can
be said that some great thinkers and artists may have been out of step with their times, but when
seen in the larger perspective, most of these artists and thinkers have got their due during their
lifetimes and will continue to do so in the future.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 150
"People today are too individualistic. Instead of pursuing self-centered, separate goals, people
need to understand that satisfaction comes from working for the greater good of the family, the
community, or society as a whole."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 150
The common man today has completely forgotten his commitments towards the society he lives
in. Owing to the tough competition for survival, man is more concerned about his own well
being. Everyone has set a goal for himself and he tries his level best to achieve that goal by
putting in his best efforts. Even if one does achieve his goal, it is unlikely that he will be satisfied
with what he has achieved. He will probably set a new goal for himself and put in all possible
efforts to attain the new goal that he has set for himself. In this mad race for success, the welfare
of one's family and society are completely forgotten. Hence, there is an urgent requirement of
making people understand that true satisfaction can come only from working for the good of the
family and the society rather than by pursuing individual goals.
If one of the children of a small family is getting a good job in a city that is far away from home,
he will probably not give a second thought to his parents or younger siblings who would be left
at home. If he is successful in his career, he will probably never give up his career to come and
stay with his parents. On the other hand, he will try his level best to convince his parents that
uprooting themselves from their hometown to come and live with him would be a wise decision.
Hence, it can be seen that people are willing to travel to different cities in pursuit of their goals
with total disregard to their parents or other dependants who are left behind at home.
The same holds true for the attitude of people with respect to their society also. Take the example
of a bright student from a poor third world country who immigrates to the US in pursuit of higher
studies. If he does well in his professional course, he will be more interested in settling in the US
and using his talents for doing well in his career. It is highly unlikely that he would like to fall
back to his own country and utilize his competence and talent for the betterment of the society
where he had been born and brought up. This is evident from the huge surge in the number of
students from third world countries who are preparing for exams like GMAT, GRE, LSAT,
MACT etc. so that they can study in the US and probably settle there only. This 'brain drain' has
become a cause of worry for some of the third world countries who are facing an acute shortage
of professionally qualified people.
Therefore, the immediate requirement is that people be taught to place their families and society
above their personal gains. This is absolutely essential for the betterment of the society as a
whole. How can a society progress if its people are busy pursuing their individual goals with
total disregard to the harm that it may bring to the entire society? There was a huge hue and cry
over the use of pesticides in some of the popular cola drinks. Why had the companies not
disclosed this to the public when their drinks were launched initially? This fact came out in the
open after some tests were conducted on the soft drink samples. Did the cola manufacturing
companies stop their production in view of the threat to the health of the public? On the contrary,
the companies went all out to prove that the percentage of pesticides in the ingredients of the
drinks were negligible.
Are we as individuals concerned about the depletion of the ozone layer? What are we doing to
ensure that the society benefits from our contributions to saving the ecological balance of the
earth? Are we careful about not using plastic as it is non-degradable? People are careful about
not using plastic bags only if their use has been debarred by the local authorities. All these facts
prove that people are no longer concerned about the well-being of either their families or their
society. All that they are concerned about is the pursuit of their individual goals. Therefore, there
is a requirement of encouraging individuals to work for the interests of the society, thereby
making the world a much better place to live in.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 151
"Schools should be required to teach the essential interconnectedness of all human beings and
thus help eliminate wars, cultural clashes, and other forms of conflict."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 151
A school is an institution where the young budding minds of a country are trained by imparting
education so that they can become capable to make the future of that nation brighter. Although
the basic aim of all schools has been to make better human beings still we have seen cultural
differences, wars and all other forms of human differences. It may lead us to believe that our
education system must be flawed somewhere as it is not able to achieve its aim of
interconnecting all humans. We have been taught basic principles of humanity in our schools but
still when we all grow up we all forget what we learned in our school. I believe that even if more
stress would be made in schools to teach students about interconnectedness in all human beings,
it still would not solve the problem of ongoing conflicts which have always been there amongst
humans.
We are taught good things in life but the bad we notices our own. Even though we as young
students are imbibed with the goodness in life, some of that goodness becomes devilish. Here we
have not discussed the circumstances under which the humans are instigated to go against human
values. There are so many cultural clashes, so many wars that have happened and are still going
on in some parts of the world. This certainly does not mean that all those people who are part of
these clashes and wars were never taught the basic principles of humanity but due to some
unavoidable circumstances they are forced to do all such inhumanly acts. The very famous
incident of 9/11 which shook the whole world is one such example. The people involved
certainly had human values. The people behind such an attack were from a community that lays
emphasis on being kind and nice to all fellow humans. The people who can sake their religious
principles for the feeling of revenge can certainly forget what they were taught about humanity
in school.
The students in schools are taught all values related to humanity so that they can practice them in
their lives. The duty of a teacher is to teach a student but what the student does of the education
imparted to him is entirely upon the student. A student from the same class can become a
renowned scientist while the other can end up becoming a terrorist. This certainly does not mean
that the efforts on the part of the school should stop to make better citizens out of young
children. The endeavor to teach students about humanity certainly helps as at least their brains
are integrated towards the right direction. Therefore, schools should adopt various measures to
teach students the interconnectedness of all human beings with a hope that wars and cultural
clashes would be eliminated but certainly, it would not secure the wars and such clashes.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 152
"Major policy decisions should always be left to politicians and other government experts, who
are more informed and thus have better judgment and perspective than do members of the
general public."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 152
People of a country represent the worth of the nation. Different nations across the world have
different policies for running their government. Where in some nations democracy is prevalent
on the other hand there are nations where autocracy is still in existence. No matter which form of
government is prevalent in a country, the interest of the people of that country can not be
overlooked. The will of the people in a democracy is very importance and I believe they have all
the right also to take part in all the decisions which would affect their interest as they are
eventually going to be affected by it. Therefore the major policy decisions of a country can not
be left to the politicians or government experts. The say of the members of the general public
should have equal weight age in this case.
Political leaders are public representatives and they are given the authority and responsibility on
the part of the public to take decisions. A political leader can take a decision to construct a
flyover bridge for a place in a city to solve the problem of merging traffic in a particular area.
The construction of the flyover would not only result in large expenditure but it can also leave
some people homeless or jobless in the area where buildings have to be demolished for building
the flyover. It could be quite possible that the city must be in more need of a school rather than a
flyover and moreover the problem of merging traffic can also be solved by diverting certain
traffic from that area. These issues can only be brought to the notice of the political or
government authorities through representatives of general public. These members would not only
convey the public viewpoint they would also they would be able to convince public in regard to
the decision made by the government. They would prove to be an effective link between public
and government and would be able to remove major conflicts or misunderstandings from both
the fronts.
There is no doubt about the advantages of having members representing general public as it is in
the favor of both, the public and government. There are certain matters at times which can not be
discussed with public in open as it could lead to panic. Such situations arise during wars or in
emergencies During such times we as citizens should have full faith in the decisions of our
political and government officers as they have been elected by us and are our true well-wishers.
They are the ones who have the responsibility to run our country and we have to help them in
doing so and not prove to be a hindrance in their way. However, it should also be the
responsibility on the part of the government and political leaders to involve the general public in
making decisions related to them whenever it is possible and required.
It is difficult for both the government and the public to work and perform solely. They are
different sides of the same coin and hence inseparable. They are incomplete without each other
therefore they should work in harmony.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 153
"All students should be required to take courses in the sciences, even if they have no interest in
science."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 153
A human is a student all his life from the time he is born until his death. The process of learning
is an ongoing process and it never ends. Whatever knowledge a human acquires is beneficial to
him. A school is a temple for a student who aspires to gain knowledge there. A student in a
school is taught different subjects related to different fields of life. All these subjects play a very
important role in a student's life. There are various mandatory subjects that a student is required
to learn till his matriculation and this is to make him well versed with the world outside. This
initial education about all the subjects is sufficient for the student to give him an idea about all
the subjects. After matriculation it's up to the student to take further education in whichever
subject he wants. A student opting for a language course in English certainly can not be forced to
take up a course in science as it is not of his interest. A student after a certain age is free to learn
what he wants to and can not be forced to learn what we want him to learn. Therefore I believe it
is an individual preference of a student to take up whatever course he aspires to take up in his
educational front.
All subjects taught to students in school are very important in life and they help the students to
learn and become more prepared in life. It certainly does not mean that science is very important
and it should be made mandatory even if a student has no interest in taking up that course. If a
course in science is made mandatory in schools it would give a wrong impression to the students
who are otherwise not opting for such courses. It would certainly shake their ego as the subject
of their interest is placed second to science. If a student has an eye for an art and he is forced to
take up a course in science it would not only affect his interest in his subject but he would also
not be able to do justice to the science course. Taking up a mandatory science course would not
guarantee a student of a better career option. If a student is going to pursue a course in arts later
then taking up a science course would be of no help.
The importance of science as a subject can not be overlooked and our life is based on science
only. Science is applicable in all fields of life and students are taught science as a mandatory
subject in schools. Science certainly can not be made as a forced subject as it would lose its
impact upon students. Those students who wish to study science with an interest would now
consider it as an obligation. Therefore to keep the charm of science alive in students it should not
be made mandatory, rather it should be left on the student's discretion as to which subject he
wants to pursue in higher education.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 154
"Patriotic reverence for the history of a nation often does more to impede than to encourage
progress."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 154
History of a country is a mirror of its developmental process. It's the history of a country that is
the true heritage and the nation's recognition in the world front. People around the world know us
because of the rich heritage our nation has. The role of patriotic leaders in a country's history is
indispensable as they are the ones who made history with their bravery and courage. Patriotism
has always influenced people of any nation as the patriots are considered the true heroes of all
times. In all fronts of life we are given the examples of our patriots about how they fought and
did tremendous work for their nation by staking their lives. I believe patriotic respect for the
history of a nation has always been aspiring the youth of the country to perform better. Patriotic
leaders have been the ideals of the younger generation and they aspire to do what their mentors
have dreamed of doing for their country. Therefore patriotic regard have always been helpful in
regard to the nation's progress and it has been inspiring youth to do better.
History is the backbone of any nation and history reflects a nation's true picture to other nations.
The great patriotic leader, French general Napoleon Bonaparte was a true hero of his nation and
till date holds a distinctive place in the history of France. Napoleon was not only a great patriot
but he also made remarkable place for himself in the French history. His innumerable deeds of
courage have been inspiring people of all ages and not only is he a part of French history but also
of the histories of other nations. Napoleon was a great man and he has been inspiring people
around the globe to achieve laurels for their country. Similar achievements have been made by
Mohandas Gandhi in India. He made his country free from East India Company and for that he
had to undergo many hardships. All those hardships paid and till the date people in India swear
by his name. Gandhi not only made for himself a place in history but also inspired a huge
number of people to adopt non-violence. It would not be possible to talk about Indian history
without referring to Gandhi. There have been numerous patriots around the world who made
history with their bravery and not only are the people of that country inspired but also are the
people around the world. If these patriots would not have done so much for their nations then it
would not have been possible of those nations to reach such heights of development. Patriots are
the guiding force for the development of a nation.
Although the place of patriots in the history of any nation is indispensable but still too much
patriotism would also not be in favor of a country as people would only be interested in
patriotism and would not do justice to their work. The deeds of patriots in our history should
only inspire us to do better in our respective fields and not make people fanatics.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 155
"Government should never censor the artistic works or historical displays that a museum wishes
to exhibit."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 155
People of a nation are given some fundamental rights which are necessary for their survival. It
becomes the prime responsibility of the citizens of any nation to exercise their rights and duties
with utmost care. People in a country are free to say, write and do as they please but it should not
be harming the interest of any other individual. The same applies for a museum that wishes to
exhibit the artistic work or historical displays. In such matters government plays a vital role as
government has the right to censor any objectionable or obscene display of any form of art in
museums. I believe that the government should censor all artistic works or historical displays
that need to be displayed to general public. The government is not only responsible for securing
the rights of its citizens but also for what it needs to present to the citizens as it can also violate
law.
A country's government, which has vast cultural differences, needs to be very discreet in its
public display of any kinds. Museums are the places which all sections and strata of people visit
for recreation. The displays made there should be carefully selected as they should not harm the
sentiments of any section of the society. A government not only protects the interest of people
but also prosecutes those who harm the interest of the others. The government has to take active
part in all the matters concerning the interest of general public. If any artist wishes to present his
thought through his paintings but his paintings harm the interest of a section of a society then
such a display can not be permitted by government. Similarly if any historical display which a
museum needs to display is extremely precious then it becomes the vital responsibility of the
government to save such a possession.
Although the government should be concerned about what is been displayed in the museums but
the government should not have a very strict approach towards such displays. In country where
there are vast cultural difference if the government officers favor a particular community then
they would consider their interest with priority but this certainly does not mean that they would
not take into consideration the interest of other communities. Government should be consulted
for the decision but the artist should also be able to make his point clear on his displays. The
endeavors should be made on the part of government to keep some qualified people in the
museum who can help people understand the display better without any misinterpretation or
confusion.
Therefore the role of the government should be vital. The government should also take into
consideration the interest of the artist who wishes to display his creation for public or any
historical display by any organization. The interest of the general public should also be taken into
notice by the government while making any such decisions.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 156
"Government should preserve publicly owned wilderness areas in their natural state, even though
these areas are often extremely remote and thus accessible to only a few people."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 156
Every nation is proud of its culture and heritage. The government of a country takes various
measures to protect its heritage. There are numerous historical places and monuments that a
country owns and if such places are not taken care of then eventually with the passage of time
they would get damaged. Therefore endeavors are made on the part of government to maintain
such areas with outmost care so that they do not get damaged with the passage of time. I believe
that the government should make efforts to preserve public owned wilderness as much as
possible in their natural state but from time to time maintenance would help in saving such
places. The government should also make efforts to make such places more accessible to the
general public because if such places are visited often then the government authorities would be
more prompt to take care of them.
All countries around the world have beautiful and great historical places and along with that
certain places which are not in a maintained state. Therefore it becomes the prime responsibility
of a country to maintain that property for the sake of their nation with utmost care. If such areas
are left to the mercy of their own then with time they would be automatically destroyed. The
government should take measures to maintain such areas and also periodic care must be ensured.
Even the wonders of the world which are the heritage of the whole world are maintained from
time to time and are not left untouched. Anything if left unattended and ill-maintained would
definitely turn into a pile of concrete. If such places around the world are made accessible to
public then the tourism of that particular country would also increase. It would get more tourists
and hence more revenue for the government. In this way not only would the country's heritage be
safe but it would be taken care of also.
In spite of the fact that a government should take necessary measures to protect its heritage but
the maintenance should not be at the cost of altering the priced heritage. If too much
maintenance is done then the originality of the place would be lost. There fore the endeavors on
the part of the government should be such that the maintenance work should only be limited to
protecting the heritage and not tampering with it. Excess of anything is not good so it should be
taken care of but not amended. The government should also see to the fact that if such a place is
not in accessible by common people then it should be made accessible but the natural charm of
the place should not be hampered. The peace of the place and the harmony of nature should be in
sync with each other.
Therefore such places should be taken care by the government and maximum effort on the part
of the government should be to preserve the originality taking into consideration the maintenance
of that place.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 157
"In any field of endeavor, it is impossible to make a significant contribution without first being
strongly influenced by past achievements within that field."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 157
Every individual wishes to accomplish great goals in life. Whenever an individual is thinking of
achieving great heights he always has someone to look up to for inspiration. We all get inspired
in our day to day lives. It is very much possible that when a person aspires to do something
remarkable in life he gets influenced by some past achievements. I believe it is very natural on
part of an individual to get inspired by the past achievements of people as then only can they
create something new and better.
Inspiration in ones life keeps that person going and if we do not have inspiration this life would
be colorless. Inspiration of any sort makes a person do things which were never thought of. If
singers of today were not inspired by the singers of older days they would not be able to create
such different and unique melodies. Similarly, if the present generation scientists do not get
inspiration from the older generation scientists then these remarkable developments in
technology would not have been possible. Inspiration lays foundation for creation of something
new or rather it can be said that out of inspiration something new and different is obtained. The
achievements of the past are the basis of our present knowledge. Past achievements are like the
roots of a tree and if roots are missing how can a tree ever grow or prosper? Past achievements
work as a study which could yield outstanding results in the respective fields of research.
Theories of the past are used to solve the problems of present.
Getting inspired from the past achievement certainly does not mean deadening of individual
creativity. Inspiration does not mean copying past achievements rather they help the present
generation people to achieve new heights. Getting help from past achievements does not mean
that innovation is lost; rather innovation is triggered and a better outcome is achieved.
Although is very unlikely that people do not get influenced by past achievements of people.
There are people who have done remarkably well on their own without getting inspired by
anyone. Such people make a stand and recognition of their own and without the influence of
anybody. They become the trendsetters and then they are the basis of inspiration for other
people. It is also true that if too much dependence is on past achievements for inspiration then
the chances of creating something unusual are lost completely.
Therefore, we must look upon our great achievers from past with due respect and get encouraged
and inspired but we should not get so influenced that our work has the traces of their work. We
must have an individuality of our own. Whatever we create from any inspiration should contain
an imprint of our individuality and it should bear our style. It should be so distinctive from the
inspired work that they both appear to be separate and not concluded parts of each other.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 158
"Government funding of the arts threatens the integrity of the arts."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 158
Since time immemorial art has been an integral part of our society. The varied creativity of
people results in distinctive forms of art. There are various forms of arts prevalent around the
world. Different nations have different forms of arts and arts depict the culture of a nation. The
various forms of art act as a mirror of the country's values and beliefs. Art is not dependent upon
any other source for its existence. The only thing that an artist ever wishes for is his admirers
who are the true source for his inspiration. In the present scenario government has taken due
interest in protecting various forms of arts of a country. I believe that an artist does not need any
sort of monetary support and hence an artist is capable of protecting his form of art. Therefore,
government's intervention by funding arts is unnecessary and it would certainly harm the
integrity of any art form.
An artist only seeks admiration from public and the various forms of art came into existence
without any monetary support but out of creativity. An artist's creativity does not depend upon
any sort of funding and an artist can not be forced to create any form of art because that art form
is funded by government. A dancer does not need funds to support his dance rather he needs
admirers and followers who would take his legacy to another level. Similarly, a sculptor is not
dependent upon government's funds for his sculptures rather he would need students who would
keep alive his art form. There are numerous examples from history which depict that the various
art forms came into existence without any sort of funding. These art forms are till date followed
by people. The great painter artist Leonardo de Vinci was not funded by any government for his
art form but his admirers were the true source of his popularity. Art has been prevalent in our
history without the support of funding from government.
Although art has always been there since the time humans have been there in this world. There
are numerous art forms that are in existence without the support of the government. The
government intervention in protecting certain art forms because those art forms were on the
verge of extinction is credible. In such fields the role of government has shown remarkable
success. The support from government has only helped in saving an art form and also it has aided
artists to keep their art form alive. The various small scale industries are supported by
government and pottery is one of them. The artisans are now provided funds by government to
save their art form.
Various art forms have been in existence on their own and without the support of the
government. It is not important that art needs funding for its existence but when any form of art
needs funds the support from government can always be asked for. The government should adopt
measures to fund arts when it is needed. The government should also take steps to encourage
young aspiring artists.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 159
"Young people should be encouraged to pursue long-term, realistic goals rather than seek
immediate fame and recognition."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 159
We all aim to achieve great heights in our professional front. Nothing comes easy in this world.
We all have to strive hard to achieve our aim in life. It is very well said that timely hard work
leads to sweet fruit of success. All those who work hard in their lives taste the sweet fruit of
success. The present generation is forgetting the true meaning of success. The younger
generation is aiming at getting overnight success in their careers. In the present scenario nobody
wants to work hard for success but they want success on the very first step of their careers. I
believe that the younger generation should be shown the true path of hard work and success as
that would lead to their true success. They should be encouraged to get their final goal in life
rather than running after momentarily success.
We all fight in our lives to prove ourselves in the rat race of earning our livelihood. We all are in
a hurry to prove ourselves in our respective fields. In this run the true essence of success is
getting lost. The present generation is running after only fame and recognition. This is resulting
in adoption of wrong means to do work to obtain success. The need for success is making people
blind and they are instigated to adopt all the wrong means to fulfill their aim. We have numerous
examples of people from our past generation who struggled in their lives and came out shining
bright in their respective fields. There is no denying that sheer hard work surely pays. There is a
very famous saying that slow and steady wins the race. It is correct in context to all fields of life.
When in life we are deliberate in making our decisions then the outcome is remarkable as the
decision was well thought over. Therefore, the chances of doing something wrong are minimized
to a great extend. The various technological developments which are the result of many years of
research and hard work have made our day to day life easy and simple. The scientists have put in
so much effort and hard work in inventing all such innovations. Therefore hard work has always
resulted in remarkable achievements.
Although the outcome of hard work is always credible but people who get instant fame and
recognition in life are hardworking too. It is the creativity of those persons that has shown them
the doors of success in life. In spite of the fact that few people are successful early in their life it
certainly does not mean that the way to success is always short. Those who strive hard always
get blessed with success in life. Therefore, younger generation should be encouraged to achieve
their long term goals rather than running after short term success. Short term success is short
lived and long term goals yield true success in life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 160
"In any field of inquiry, the beginner is more likely than the expert to make important
discoveries."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 160
A person who is constantly working to achieve his aim in life and in the end does achieve it is an
expert. An expert is an expert because he knows all the aspects related to his field and he knows
the answers to all the related questions. The experience an expert has gone through to reach his
aim can never be felt by a beginner and most of the times what procedure a beginner goes
through an expert has already gone through. Therefore, I do not agree that in any field of inquiry,
the beginner is more likely than the expert to make important discoveries. It can be by chance
that beginners discover something but otherwise an expert is an expert because he has already
gone through all the stages of learning.
We see so many scientific creations around us. There is so much of hard work that has gone into
making the perfect creations. There must be so many failures before the actual creation was
made. If there were many failures they do not make an expert less trained but he is learning from
his experiences. His experiences provide a yardstick for the newcomers in the same field. A new
chef can make a dish nicely the very first time but making the same dish again and again with the
same flavor is an expert's work. Similarly, Newton did not become an expert in his field after
discovering that apple fell from the tree because of some force but when he researched and
studied on it then only was he able to prove that the force is gravity. A newcomer can make a
film and that can be appreciated by every one but mastering the techniques of good film making
is not that easy, one has to put in real hard work to master it. There are film directors who are
one film wonders and there are those directors who keep making good films after good films.
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it." Robert
Heinlein has described in these lines the true meaning of an expert.
Although there is no comparison between experts and beginners but still there are beginners who
have created history. Madam Curie is one such example who discovered radium. Radium is used
till date and Madam Curie won Nobel Prize for this discovery of hers. A beginner has many
ideas and his area of thinking is vast as compared to an expert's restricted vision.
All the important discoveries are made by experts and there contribution in the history can not be
denied. In any field of enquiry we need to trust our experts as they have put in so many years of
research into it. There has been so much practice gone by an expert into discovering something
and such practices make a perfectionist.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 161
"Technologies not only influence but actually determine social customs and ethics."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 161
It is an undeniable fact that the face of human society has been drastically changed over the years
by the advent of technological advances. Man's thinking and lifestyle have always been
influenced by the technologies of his era. Technology has even succeeded in modifying the
social customs and norms that are followed by humans. Nevertheless, the fact remains that
customs and traditions still retain their age-old roots as technologies will never be able to
completely control the social customs and ethics of society.
It would be an exaggeration to state that social customs can be determined by technologies. Since
time immemorial, Man has been living in a society by following certain norms and these customs
and traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. The advent of technology
may have modified the norms and customs of society to suit Man's needs. For instance, it is a
custom in most Hindu societies that the brother travels to the sister's home on a festival called
'Rakshabandhan', to enable his sister to tie a 'Raakhi' on his wrist. However, modern technologies
have made it possible for sisters to send the 'Raakhi' to their brothers through the Internet or
courier services. This is quite convenient in view of the traveling distances involved and the
exigencies of one's career. Therefore, technology has succeeded in modifying this custom to the
extent that people now find it convenient not to travel but still celebrate the festival in some or
the other way. However, technology can never be influential to the extent that brothers and
sisters stop celebrating this festival altogether. They would have been following this ritual
annually ever since they were children and the emotional attachment to this ritual will prevent
them from letting technology determine a new future for this custom.
Technology has affected our entire lifestyles including our eating and clothing habits.
Nevertheless, no matter how busy people are, they will always try their best to celebrate
'Thanksgiving' in the traditional way. Modern technologies may assist them in getting frozen precooked turkey, but the same technologies will have no bearing on their faith and customs. The
Christian bride dresses in white for the wedding ceremony. Technology may have altered the
location of the altar because of the ease in traveling and arranging for commodities in almost any
corner of the world. There are news of brides and bridegrooms who have exchanged vows in the
weirdest of locations like in mid-air or in gardens and historical monuments. Technology may
have improved the quality of the dress materials, but still in almost every case you will still see
the bride dressed in white. The bride and bridegroom will still exchange the same vows that were
exchanged by their ancestors, centuries ago. The custom of marriage may have been modified by
technology, but technologies have no control over the religious ritual of marriage.
Technological tools like the internet, print media and television have succeeded in bringing the
people together. The customs and traditions of other societies have started to have an effect on
everyone across the world. At the same time, intermingling of people from different societies has
now become possible because of people traversing across the globe in search of jobs.
Technology has succeeded in bridging the gap between people from different societies, but still
the people have been able to retain their customs and traditions despite the influence of
technology. Technology had succeeded in placing Man on the moon decades ago, but technology
has not been able to uproot the entrenched custom of certain communities that do not let their
women step out of their homes without veiling their faces. Therefore, it is true to an extent that
technologies may influence our social customs, but it cannot be agreed upon that these social
customs are actually determined by technologies because ethics and culture are an integral part
of any society and they cannot individually be determined by technology.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 162
"Leaders are created primarily by the demands that are placed upon them."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 162
Who is a leader? A leader is a person who is followed by others due to his charisma and his
ability to lead people in the right direction. A leader must exude qualities like confidence,
integrity, dedication, honesty and competence in carrying out the tasks related to leadership. A
leader has to cater to the demands of the people who are led by him. However, the contention
that the demands of people can create a leader is not justified as not everyone can inculcate the
qualities that are required of a leader. A person can be elected as a leader by his people but he
will not be able to succeed in becoming an effective leader unless he has the inborn traits of
leadership. Hence, it is true that leaders cater to the demands of the people who are led by them,
but leaders can never be created by these demands alone.
A leader's prime responsibility is to provide a solution for the development of the people who
follow him. Take the example of political leaders. These leaders are elected by the general
population. During the election process, political leaders are pitted against each other and the one
who is able to garner the highest number of votes wins the election. What do these leaders have
to do for winning elections? They have to consistently prove to the populace that they will cater
to their demands and provide them with facilities that they are in need of. The leader who is
ultimately voted into power is expected to carry out his promises. A leader who is able to meet
the promises made by him during the campaigning process will probably be elected into power
for the second term as well. His competence in carrying out the promises made by him cannot be
developed overnight. People may have elected a person and placed demands on him, but he
cannot win the confidence of his people and be respected as a leader unless he demonstrates
leadership qualities.
The demands that are placed upon a person are a big challenge for him to become a leader. In a
business enterprise, a manager is expected to lead the people working under him in such a way
that the productivity of the company increases and the company reaps high profits. Good
qualifications and experience may have assisted in placing the manager in this position.
However, he will need leadership skills in addition to his capabilities in order to meet the
demands placed upon him if he has to succeed as an effective leader. Inability of the manager to
handle the people under him in the most cost-effective manner may lead to a scenario wherein he
is replaced by a more competent manager. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for a person to
prove his competence after being nominated as a leader because merely placing demands is not
sufficient for creating leaders.
One can look up history to find examples of numerous leaders who rose to lead their people
because there were demands placed upon them. Mahatma Gandhi led the people of India to
independence, but could the people of India have created a Mahatma Gandhi out of any other
person by placing demands on him? It was the qualities, ideology and principles of Mahatma
Gandhi which were revered by the people who followed him. The freedom struggle of India
placed crucial demands on all its leaders, however only a few of them were actually able to lead
the people successfully. Therefore, effective leaders can be created by external demands placed
on them along with the support of the inherent leadership qualities that are required to be present
in the person who is nominated as a leader.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 163
"College students should be encouraged to pursue subjects that interest them rather than seek
programs that promise entry into the job market."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 163
The basic requirement for success in any field is hard work and the determination to succeed.
One gets the impetus for putting in sustained hard work if the work to be carried out interests
him. An interest in one's career related tasks would be able to generate the dedication that is
required for success in his chosen field. A lawyer in a reputed firm may be able to earn a good
salary by virtue of his being a successful lawyer. However, if he has no interest in either studying
law or practicing law, then his future would be full of frustration and discontent as he would be
carrying out his job related tasks half-heartedly. Therefore, it is in the interest of the college
students that they should be encouraged to pursue subjects of their choice rather than forcing
them to seek programs which would better their chances of getting lucrative jobs.
Parents start planning the careers of their children right from the time when their children are in
kindergarten. Parents try to teach their children the skills that are necessary for them to excel in
their lives. Seldom do the parents contemplate on the likes and dislikes of their children. The
subjects that interest their children are generally ignored for want of seeing their children
succeed in a lucrative career despite the fact that the child may neither have the aptitude nor the
inclination to pursue studies related to that particular career. This ultimately would lead to
frustration among young people who are forced to pursue careers that do not interest them.
Even if parents do not influence their children's choice of career, the students themselves are in a
dilemma as to what subjects they should choose in college. There is a lot of pressure due to the
stiff competition in the job market. There are subjects like medicine, law, engineering etc. that
can make them financially stable if they are able to succeed in a career related to that subject. On
the other hand, there are subjects like fine arts, literature, physical education etc. which will
probably not be able to help them get established in a well-paying career. Therefore, more often
than not, college students suppress their inherent desires and they choose to opt for subjects that
will help them pursue a career which may give them a false sense of success.
A student who chooses to pick a subject that does not interest him, may have immense
difficulties in successfully completing his studies. He will have no reason to be attentive in the
classroom and he may find it boring to study at home. This lack of interest may lead to a scenario
wherein he is not able to pass with good grades. This would lead to his not being able to get a
good job despite the fact that he chose a subject that could have led to a financially rewarding
career. On the other hand, if he had chosen a subject that interested him, he could have studied
with eagerness leading to academic excellence in that particular subject. He may not be able to
get a job that pays him well, but he would be happy with his routine job which centers on a
subject of his choice. A person who has a deep rooted interest in painting will never be able to
succeed as a doctor. Even if he manages to complete his medical studies and becomes a doctor,
he will never be satisfied with his job as he will always be trying to take out time for pursuing
painting. This would seriously hamper his professional competence as a doctor.
In sum, it is advisable to strike a balance between your choice of subjects and career. College
students should be advised to take up a subject that interests them. However, the onus of utilizing
that subject for a rewarding career lies entirely with the students themselves. A little bit of
entrepreneurship and imagination can make you succeed in a career related to any kind of
subject. A person who is interested in becoming a good orator can study the skills of public
speaking and become a motivational speaker, which is a thriving business today. Therefore,
college students should be encouraged to study subjects of their choice as this would ensure that
they are happy and satisfied with their respective careers later on in life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 164
"Most people think that their deeply held values are the result of rational choice, but reason often
has little to do with the way people form values."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 164
Social values are taught to a child from the time he learns to understand his environment. As
time passes by and the child grows into an adult, he may have the perception that his deep rooted
values have a rational backing, but the real truth is that values have little to do with rationale and
more to do with the society that one has been brought up in. Therefore, it is true to a large extent
that reason has nothing to do with an individual's deeply held values.
Man is a social animal and he cannot survive without the assistance of a society. For living in a
society, everyone has to follow the ideologies that are being followed by the rest of the people in
the society. There will always be some people who choose to rebel against the norms laid down
by society, but when seen in the larger perspective, people form their values because of
socializing with other people either from their own society or from other societies across the
world. There are a number of societies that have orthodox rituals and traditions. Such societies
may have stressed upon their youth to carry forward their customs and traditions either by force
or by advocating the good that will come by adhering to those values. For instance, almost all
societies stand by values that advocate giving respect to the elders. Most people of the society
following these values would think that this is a result of their rational choice, but the truth is that
these values would have risen with no apparent reason behind them. There is nothing that will
happen if someone chooses not to respect his elders. He will probably be scorned upon by the
other members of his society, but beyond that there are likely to be no other repercussions.
Despite this, people have deep rooted values that prompt them to respect their elders.
Values that are integral to a particular society may not be of any consequence to another society.
Does this mean that the people who form part of the second society have a reason for not
following the same set of values? The values of most societies are patriarchal when it comes to
matrimony. What about the matriarchal societies? Is there a valid reason for them to decide that
the name of the mother, and not the father, will be carried forward? The societies themselves will
be able to cite several reasons in favor of a matriarchal society, but does that mean that the
patriarchal society is inconsistent?
There is no rationale behind the religious beliefs followed by most people. Numerous societies
have associated superstition and fear of the unknown with naturally occurring events like solar
and lunar eclipses. There are customs like not stepping out of homes on the day of an eclipse.
People blindly follow the rituals that are recommended to be done whenever there is an eclipse
without bothering to look for a reason behind carrying out those particular actions. Atheists lead
perfectly normal lives despite the fact that they do not believe in any of the values propagated
either by their societies or their religions.
Therefore, we can see that there is actually no reason behind the values upheld by a society,
which is further substantiated by the fact that not adhering to these values will not affect your
lives in any way, apart from a possible ostracism from society. Even if you consistently question
the system that has instilled these sets of values, it is unlikely that you will be able to unearth any
valid reasons behind the implementation of these values. This is because the values that are
deeply held by most people rarely have any reasoning behind them.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 165
"In any academic area or professional field, it is just as important to recognize the limits of our
knowledge and understanding as it is to acquire new facts and information."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 165
It has been said time and again that the more knowledge you acquire, the more learned you will
become. However, one needs to ponder over the fact that he will not be able to absorb the
additional information if he does not have the capability to understand whatever knowledge he
has acquired. Before setting out to explore new avenues in the field of knowledge, it is
imperative that one is aware of the limits of one's own understanding capabilities. Everyone does
not have the same intelligence level. Therefore, rather than emulating others, it is always a better
option to give equal importance to your own level of understanding as that given to acquiring
new facts and information.
There are people who have exceptionally good memory while there may be others who grasp
complex mathematical formulae easily enough. These people may be interested in carrying out
higher research in the field of mathematics. Can another person who had to literally cram
mathematical formulae to clear his tests, successfully emulate these people who have a much
better understanding of the nuances of mathematics. It is absolutely essential for you to
recognize your limits of understanding before venturing to acquire new facts and knowledge.
You will not be able to gain anything by amassing the new information as you would be
incapable of absorbing and utilizing the same. Is it beneficial for someone who does not have an
understanding of communication technology to spend time in gathering information about
wireless technology? He will not be able to do anything with the newly acquired knowledge as
he would be clueless about the basic knowledge that is required for a deep understanding of the
new found information.
Take the example of a doctor who is interested in carrying out his post-graduate studies in
subjects related to heart surgery. Can he take this decision without assessing his competence in
the subject areas related to heart surgery? It is likely that he has limitations that would prevent
him from becoming a successful heart specialist. Therefore, it would be in his interest to spend
time in analyzing the limits of his knowledge and understanding and proceed to undergo his
Masters in heart surgery only if he is confident of the level of his understanding. Failure on his
part to analyze his limits would lead to a scenario wherein he rushes to enroll himself in the
program of study, only to find that he has not been able to complete it successfully.
One cannot deny the importance of acquiring new facts and information either pertaining to your
field of interest or to any other field. It is always beneficial to know as much as you can as this
not only helps you progress in your career, but it also serves the purpose of preparing you for life
in a better way as you would be well informed. However, the decision to keep acquiring new
information without assessing your limits in understanding this new information will always be
questionable.
One can never put newly acquired facts and information to good use if he does not have an
understanding of the same. Can a painter utilize software for making digital paintings if he does
not have an understanding of the basic computer controls? Can a person think of learning how to
drive a truck if he could never pass the driving test for car driving? Common sense tells us that it
is absolutely essential that one pays due importance to knowing his limits with respect to
knowledge and understanding. If not more, this importance should be at least of the same level
that is attached to acquiring new facts and information.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 166
"The concept of 'individual responsibility' is a necessary fiction. Although societies must hold
individuals accountable for their own actions, people's behavior is largely determined by forces
not of their own making."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 166
People develop their behavior depending on the way in which they have been brought up, their
environment and the society in which they live. The behavior of people is determined by external
elements, but people have the liberty of making the choice to behave in a particular manner and
they are solely responsible for their behavior. The external forces do not determine the behavior
of people in a major way as people can take the decision to fight the external forces and behave
in a manner that opposes the forces. Therefore, it is true to an extent that the behavior of people
is influenced by forces that may not be under their control, but it is highly unjustified to assume
that the concept of 'individual responsibility' is a necessary fiction.
Individual responsibility plays a very important role in determining the behavior of people. Take
for instance the behavior of students. External forces like the requirement of doing well in one's
studies for getting a good job play a significant role in determining a student's behavior with
respect to his studies. However, it is ultimately the student's individual responsibility that will
determine the exact nature of his behavior. A particular student can choose not to be influenced
by this external force and he may decide not to devote time to his studies despite the irreversible
effects it may have on his career. On the other hand, there may be a student who chooses to be
influenced by this external force and he puts in his level best in studying for doing well in his
life. Thus, it can be seen that the behavior of students with respect to their studies is not
influenced as much by an external force as compared to their own individual responsibilities.
It is true that external forces like those pertaining to society, schools, parents, law etc. determine
the behavior of people to a significant extent. People stay within a set of laid down norms as per
the laws that have been enforced. People of a particular country may be more responsible
towards cleanliness by not throwing garbage on the streets as the laws of their country prohibit
them from behaving in such a manner. When the same people go to another country where there
are no such laws, it is their sense of individual responsibility that will come into play and they
may choose to behave in a particular manner depending on how responsible they are towards
keeping their environment clean.
There are people who choose to break the laws that have been enforced and this is evident by the
crime rate that exists in almost all societies. What about the effect of external forces on these
people? These people may have no control over the external forces like law and order, but they
have decided not to let the external forces determine their behavior. Moreover, they have taken
the decision to ignore the responsibilities that they should shoulder and so they alone are
responsible for their conduct. No other force can be held responsible for their behavior.
A society which chooses not to blame the individuals for their actions can never thrive. There
will be mass disobedience of rules and the framework of law and order of the society will break
down. Therefore, it is essential that individuals be held responsible for their behavior as they are
the ones who have chosen to behave in that particular manner. In sum, it can be said that more
than external forces, it is the individual's responsibility that determines his behavior.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 167
"Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field
of study because acquiring knowledge of various academic disciplines is the best way to become
truly educated."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 167
It is true that one should be aware of various academic disciplines in order to expand his vision
and become truly educated. One's knowledge cannot remain restricted to one's own field of study
or else he will not be able to analyze his knowledge with respect to the happenings in other
related fields. However, the decision to acquire knowledge of academic disciplines other than
their fields of study should rest with the students themselves. The recommendation that students
should be forced to study subjects other than their fields of study is extremely unconvincing.
Students are in universities for a short duration of time that amounts to a couple of years in
which they have to acquire maximum possible knowledge about their fields of study. These
students will go on to become professionals in their respective fields. Is it justified to take out
time from this precious period to study subjects that will have no relevance to the career that the
students plan to pursue? If someone is studying medicine, will it be justified to force him to
study history? It is true that knowledge of history will definitely make him truly educated as he
will be aware of historical facts which are essential for being well-informed. However, would
this knowledge make such a big difference to his life that it should be made mandatory for him to
study this subject that has no relevance to his field of study?
It is a well known fact that students have to appear for various tests to prove their capabilities in
a particular subject. They are given admissions to various programs of study depending upon
their performance in such tests. Therefore, will all students be able to study all subjects of the
university level with equal ease? A student who has an aptitude for Biology may not be in a
position to study Mathematics that easily. If he is forced to take a course in Mathematics, it
might eventually turn out that he spends more time in studying Mathematics rather than studying
Biology which is his main subject. Making the students study subjects other than their fields of
study cannot be justified without assessing the aptitude of the students and their liking for the
additional subjects.
It is not warranted to force an engineering student to study English literature in the time that he
should have spent studying the concepts of engineering. Such an action could have serious
repercussions like the student not being able to become a competent engineer as he wasted
precious time during his years in the university memorizing facts that were of no relevance to his
choice of career. It would be a much better option to give ample time to students in their years in
the universities to learn as much as they can about their fields of study. They can choose to take
up additional courses pertaining to other disciplines if they feel that they have spare time for the
same. For instance, a student studying History may have additional time on his hands as he does
not have to go for practical classes and therefore, he may choose to take up a course in some
foreign language.
In conclusion, there is no denying the fact that gaining knowledge about various disciplines is of
a great advantage as it helps you to be more learned and educated. At the same time, enforcing
regulations in universities that force students to take a variety of courses outside the students'
fields of study is unwarranted as the students should be allowed to take this decision depending
upon their capabilities.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 168
"People work more productively in teams than individually. Teamwork requires cooperation,
which motivates people much more than individual competition does."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 168
Competition is the backbone for success in the modern world. An inherent strength for excelling
in your career can be successfully derived from the force of individual competition. One cannot
expect to be successful in his career if he lacks competitive spirit. At the same time, the
cooperation required for teamwork ensures that the workforce of all the individual team
members is united and the team is able to provide better results in addition to better productivity.
Productivity may depend on the type of work involved as well. There are certain types of tasks
where individuals may be able to show increased productivity if they are working on their own;
whereas there may be tasks where better results can be produced only if teamwork is involved.
Therefore, individual competition and team work are both essential for high productivity
depending on the types of works that are involved.
It has been seen that teamwork is generally at a disadvantage in respect of productivity due to
negative competitiveness. There may be a difference of opinion amongst the individual team
members and neither of them would be willing to accept the point of view of the others. Each of
the individual team members makes a bid to impress his immediate superiors in order to display
his capability in outshining the others when it comes to providing effective results. There would
be team members who are willing to go to any extent just to let down the others. This kind of
attitude can be detrimental to the productivity of the team. However, the presence of an effective
team leader can sort out all such problems and ensure that the teamwork progresses smoothly in
the right direction. The research and development departments of almost all business
establishments consist of research teams who are successful in developing new products. An
individual may not be able to demonstrate the same level of productivity when he is working on
his own despite the fact that he may be having a high competitive spirit.
On the contrary, preparation for exams is an area where one can be expected to produce greater
productivity if he is studying alone as compared to studying in a group. Although, there are a
number of students who are comfortable studying in groups as they can discuss their problems;
they would like to be on their own as the exams draw closer. This is because students tend to talk
amongst themselves more as compared to concentrating on studies whenever they are studying in
a group. It is a well known fact that people like writers and painters look for solitude whenever
they have to think of new concepts for their pieces of writing or art. This is because such people
have always been found to be more productive when they are working on their own. At the same
time, organizations like ad agencies require more than one designer to work on designing an
advertisement and more often than not this form of teamwork is able to yield good results.
Therefore, it is not necessary that either individual competitive spirit or teamwork alone is
sufficient for high productivity.
There should be a willingness among team members to accept each other's ideas, failing which a
team will not be able to produce good results. On the other hand, an individual must not let go of
his competitive spirit without which it will not be possible for him to succeed in his endeavors.
In conclusion, it is necessary to strike a balance between individual competition and teamwork to
attain the highest standards of productivity. It is up to the team leader to be able to extract the
best possible level of work from the team members even if it means that they be allowed to work
on their own for short durations in order to contribute to the teamwork.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 169
"Although, critics who write about the arts tend to deny the existence of any objective standards
for evaluating works of art, they have a responsibility to establish standards by which works of
art can be judged."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 169
A piece of art has to be appreciated as it stems from the imagination of the artist. Critics may
have assumed the responsibility to critically analyze the works of art put forward by artists, but
can they compare the works of art of two different artists? Each artist has his own perspective
and he may choose to express his views in a form or style that is different from those of other
artists. It is difficult to define a set of rules that can determine how an artist can express himself.
Hence, it is not justified to establish standards for judging such works of art and therefore, there
is no requirement of critics to set standards for evaluating works of art.
The works of art that we come across are manifestations of the artists' views, emotions and
observations. An artist may define his feelings in a manner that is not common. For instance
there may be a painter who chooses to make monochrome paintings that are devoid of colors.
Can the critics set a standard that paintings should utilize colors thereby, making the work of this
particular artist sub-standard? The paintings may appeal to a particular section of the society;
whereas there may be another section of society that does not find these black and white
paintings attractive enough. People have the liberty of voicing their opinions and critically
assessing artwork, but it would be unjust to set standards that have to be met by artists while
making their artworks.
An inevitable repercussion of setting such standards would be that artists would no longer feel
free to come up with revolutionary ideas. They would be compelled to follow the norms that
have been laid down and the result would be a monotonous production of works of art, most of
which would be similar to what has been put up by other artists. This is because no artist would
like to make something that is below the standards that have been set for that particular type of
artwork. If a standard has been set for all works of art regarding sculpture, why would sculptors
try to think of something that deviates from the laid down norms? Even if a sculptor makes some
piece of sculpture that does not meet the recommended standards, he will probably never put it
up in an exhibition because his name might be tarnished for putting up a sub-standard piece of
art. The result would be that the world would never come to know what he had made and there is
a probability that it could have generated mass appeal if that piece had been displayed to the
public. Therefore, it is evident that imposing such standards may affect the creativity and
ingenuity of artists in a major way.
The ideas and values that are represented by an artist's work of art cannot be accurately evaluated
by critics as there may be a difference of opinion amongst the critics themselves. It is not
necessary that all critics would have the same opinion regarding a work of art. Take for example
the book reviews or the movie reviews that we come across on the internet or the print media.
There are some people who find the particular work being reviewed useful and appealing while
others find that it is not worth spending time upon. This example consolidates the fact that
people have a difference of opinion when it comes to evaluating any kind of work, irrespective
of whether it is a work of art or not.
The very fact that people have different choices related to music, holiday destinations, movies,
clothes, colors, flowers etc. proves that works of art will also be assessed differently by different
people. How can then a set of people designated as critics set standards for evaluating works of
art? Therefore, it is evident that it is not possible for art critics to set up standards that are
globally unquestionable, for evaluating works of art.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 170
"It is unfortunate but true that political decisions and activities affect all aspects of people's
lives."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 170
Politics basically entails governing a system such as a society or nation. The political set up of a
nation is responsible for controlling both its internal and external affairs. As a nation or society is
made up of people, it is obvious that political decisions and activities affect people's lives in a
major way. However, this influence of politics on the lives of people may be fortunate or
unfortunate depending on the course of action that is taken by the political leadership of a
society. Therefore, it is not necessary that this influence would always be unfortunate as there are
numerous instances in which this influence has had a positive effect on the lives of people.
A dictatorship or a monarchy, where the people have no control over the political leadership of
the country, may be one of those societies in which the political activities may have an
unfortunate effect on the lives of people. There may be widespread discontent amongst people
due to the political activities taking place in their country and this would be an unfortunate
scenario wherein the people will not be able to escape from the effect these activities are having
on their lives. Political decisions like waging a war against another country or imposing unfair
restrictions will adversely affect the lives of the people. A war will shoot up the prices of
essential commodities, the economy will slow down, numerous citizens will be killed and the
administration of the country will come to a standstill. Despite these effects, we constantly hear
about countries wherein the decisions taken by the political leadership has resulted in a country
being at war with another country. The worst scenario is wherein a country is torn by internal
wars which have been waging for numerous years. The people are suffering because of the
decisions taken by their political leadership.
On the other hand, there are various positive effects of political decisions, especially in the case
of political leadership which has been voted into power by the people themselves. The political
leadership is always trying to win the confidence of the common people by providing them with
the best of amenities so as to stay in power for as long a time as possible. On the other hand, the
opposition parties try their best to please the people so that they are able to topple the ruling
party in the next round of elections. The lives of people are always affected in a positive manner
by these decisions. The political decisions may be related to various other aspects like
administration of the country, implementing new laws, levying taxes, foreign trade etc. All these
decisions will affect the lives of people in a major way as they are the ones who will be directly
affected either personally or professionally by these decisions.
There have been numerous incidents when innocent people have been held hostages by antisocial elements or terrorists. The government has to take the decision to either accede to the
demands of the terrorists or let the hostages be killed. Irrespective of the decision taken by the
leadership, the lives of the people will definitely be affected. The demands of the terrorists may
be the release of their brethren who are languishing in jails or their demand may be a safe
passage for them out of the country. In both the cases, the lives of the people will be affected as
dreaded terrorists would be let loose and they might make a deadly strike again in the future. On
the other hand, if the demands are not met, then it would amount to affecting the lives of the
bereaved families of the hostages. Therefore, it is evident that any form of political decision will
affect the lives of the people in some way or the other.
In sum, it is evident that political decisions do affect people in a major way, but it is not
necessary that the effect will always be unfortunate. There would be many instances when the
political decisions will result in the betterment of the people as a whole.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 171
"Colleges and universities should offer more courses on popular music, film, advertising, and
television because contemporary culture has much greater relevance for students than do arts and
literature of the past."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 171
The young represent the present. They relate to the contemporary culture more than they do to
the art and literature of the past. At the same time, it is in colleges and universities that they are
given knowledge about all the aspects of art and culture. According to me, colleges and
universities should not concentrate only over popular music, film, advertising and television, but
must also educate students about the art, culture and literature of the past. I believe that there
should be enough courses to teach the culture of the past since students would benefit from the
experience.
The contemporary culture has evolved from the culture of the past. The present culture did not
originate on its own but has slowly emerged out of the changes in times. Therefore, even if the
popular music, film and advertising have their unique features in the present, they bears their
origin in the past. It can be said that the education of art and culture will be incomplete if the
colleges and universities concentrate more on the popular culture and neglect the culture of the
past.
The colleges and universities have a responsibility of giving proper education to students. Giving
partial education about the past and emphasizing more on the present would not be imparting
complete education. It is only when the students will learn the features of the art, culture and
literature of the past that they would understand its value and importance. The statement assumes
that students are basically interested in popular music, films and television. However, if they
were not exposed to the music, literature and culture of the past, they would never get an
opportunity to explore and understand the same. It is only when they will get a taste of the
culture of the past that they will begin to appreciate it. I, therefore, believe that the statement
ignores the possibility of the students developing a liking for the art and literature of the past.
Further, the exceptional works of music, art, theater and films belonging to a particular time are
relevant not just to that time, but to the times to come as well. If the literature in the past has
been significant and noteworthy, it would have a great significance for students in the present as
well. Studying this art and culture would give them great learning experience. For example,
Shakespeare has contributed to the filed of English literature to the extent that his plays are
enacted even today. If his works are excluded from the curriculum of the colleges, it would leave
a great void in the study of literature. Moreover, this knowledge can be imparted well only in
colleges and universities since a detailed study can be carried out for the same. Colleges can
maintain literature, recordings, manuscripts, reports, articles and documentaries about the art and
culture of the past in order to educate the students. If the colleges would not step in to offer
detailed courses for the same, there would not be any other source that would help in such a
comprehensive study of the past culture. On the other hand, students will have many options to
study popular art, music and culture. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important for colleges
and universities to concentrate on the art and culture of the past.
In the end I would like to sum up by saying that it is only in colleges and universities that we can expect a
tradition of teaching and learning the art and literature of the past to be carried out. On the other hand,
students can have immense opportunities to learn the contemporary music and culture. Therefore,
students should not be deprived of the opportunity of studying the literature, art and music of the past
by concentrating more on popular music and art and colleges should offer enough courses for the same.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 172
"In any realm of life-whether academic, social, business, or political-the only way to succeed is
to take a practical, rather than an idealistic, point of view. Pragmatic behavior guarantees
survival, whereas idealistic views tend to be superceded by simpler, more immediate options."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 172
The given statement asserts that being practical guarantees survival as against being idealistic. In
any field - be it academic, social, business or political - it is the pragmatic behavior which helps
in the survival of a person, but an idealistic view is overcome by other simpler options. I agree
with the argument that practicality is the key to a successful life. However, I also believe that
idealistic approach is the driving force behind many actions. It is the idealistic view that
encourages people to keep good morals and high values in life and thus it should not be
discarded completely.
It is only actions that generate results. If there are no efforts towards a goal, we cannot expect a
tremendous outcome of the same. Let us take the example of academics where it is only the
efforts by students towards studying that pays off in the end. It is only if the students follow a
pragmatic approach that they will believe in studying hard for their exams. There is a great
amount of competition in the field of education where every student has to prove his worth. In
order to do better than the rest, a student must study hard and perform in his exams. It is only if
he adopts a practical approach that he will work towards learning and improving his knowledge.
Ultimately, in the race of emerging at the top, it is the one who displays greater knowledge and
learning that wins. It has been seen that the learned and scientists, like Newton and Einstein,
have been able to invent new things only out of their practical efforts in their particular fields.
Similarly, in the political field it has been seen that the government which promises big changes
and development but never fulfills sees its own downfall. On the other hand, if the administration
is practical and works upon its words to improve the infrastructure and makes efforts towards
development, it has greater chances of public approval, which ensure its survival.
According to the statement, an idealistic view is generally superceded by simpler, more
immediate options. However, I believe that every action of a person must be guided by ideals.
While it is the practical efforts that give shape to achievement, it is the ideals behind the efforts
that give a positive direction to these efforts. It is not important to achieve and be successful by
hook or crook. What is more important is to choose the right path and follow it in order to ensure
a purely deserving achievement. Anything ill gotten is better not achieved in the first place. If a
student tries to find his way to the top by unfair means like cheating, he will only fool himself in
the long run. It is only a short-lived success that he will get by ignoring morals and ideals and
will soon stumble due to his exclusively practical efforts.
Idealistic view helps in keeping positive and provides encouragement to accomplish the task.
While practicality is important to consummate any task well, having good ideals makes it well
accomplished and deservingly achieved. Therefore, I partially agree with the argument where it
says that pragmatic behavior guarantees survival, however, at the same time I refuse to believe
that idealistic views have no contribution in this survival. While survival is important, it must be
of a high quality that is ensured by an idealistic approach to life.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 173
"The pressure to achieve high grades in school seriously limits the quality of learning. An
educational environment without grades would promote more genuine intellectual development."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 173
It is true that a child is very sensitive. At a very tender age children are burdened by the
requirements of education and achieving higher grades in school. There is an increased pressure
over them to perform and prove themselves by getting good grades. This may have many
consequences, out of which one can be a decline in the quality of learning. However, I also
believe that grading in the education system has its own importance and cannot be done away
with. I agree that the grading system can have many adverse effects on students and their studies,
but I disagree with the part of the statement that says that educational system without grades
would promote genuine intellectual development.
Competition in the field of education is ever increasing. There are a lot of expectations from
children in terms of their performance in school. Due to these expectations there is an increased
pressure over the kids to perform well and get higher grades. However, every child is different
and has different capabilities. While some students can manage to work hard and retain most of
the topics taught to them, there are others who are slow learners and are not as capable. Since it
is not in the capacity of every child to grasp everything that is taught to him, it becomes difficult
for him to learn him lessons. In such a case, if he are burdened all the more to get higher grades,
he does not concentrate over understanding the material before learning, but goes on mugging up
his lessons. This in turn results in a low quality of learning, since the concentration of students
shifts from understanding the material to memorizing it.
The writer of the statement probably is of the view that removing the grading system would help
because the students will not require to prove themselves by getting higher grades. However, an
education system without any form of grading system also brings in many other problems. If
there were no system to evaluate the performance of students, it would also bring non-serious
attitude amongst students. I believe that having a system to grade the performance of students
helps in determining a goal for them. It gives them motivation to work hard towards attaining the
highest grade that they can get. If there were no grading in schools, many students would become
careless towards studies, which again would result in a low quality of education.
Further, there must be some system of evaluation of students in the education system. Evaluating
the performance of students teaches them to compete with each other. This prepares them for a
higher level of competition in their colleges and later lives. If they would not face this evaluation
in school, they would be helpless when they would face the outer world. I, therefore, believe that
evaluation is a very important aspect of school education.
In the end, I would like to repeat that though a grading system puts pressure on students, which
might result in a low quality of learning, an education system without any grading system will
not be any better. There is no guarantee that an educational system without a grading system
ensures genuine intellectual development. A grading system is a must to ensure that the students
remain focused and do not take their studies lightly.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 174
"Governments should provide funding for artists so that the arts can flourish and be available to
all people."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 174
Art of a society represents its culture and traditions. It expresses the ideas, feelings and values of
a society. It can rightly be said that the richness of a society is determined by its art and culture.
Therefore, it becomes important to preserve it as well as progress it further. It is not the
responsibility of one individual or an organization alone but it should be done with a joint effort
of the whole society together. I agree with the topic that the government should provide enough
funds to help the artists and to promote art. However, I would like to add that people and other
private organizations should also do their bit in conserving and progressing art.
An artist, weather a painter, a sculptor, a dancer or a musician has unique talent. However, in
order to create an artistic creation, any artist requires funds. A painter would require a workshop
and enough money to create his paintings. Further, he would require more funds to arrange for
exhibitions in order to display his paintings. Similarly, in order to promote music, there need to
be concerts and shows where the musicians get an opportunity to exhibit their skills. The
promotion of any art needs such platforms where artists get recognition and acclaim. It is only
when such events are first conducted on a small scale that such arts can get a larger platform.
This not only promotes the art and culture but also encourages the artists to keep continuing their
work and improve their talent. While it is the government that must help in promoting these
events, such events should also be promoted by the various art and culture organizations.
There is immense budding talent in every nation, which only needs a little encouragement and
some form of resource. No art or artist can progress in isolation. While these artists can come up
with their efforts, there comes a point beyond which they are not able to reach due to monetary
restrictions. Here is where the government should step in and remove these restrictions so that art
can flourish to the utmost level. It is the government's responsibility to encourage these artists by
giving them avenues to improve their talent. The government can allocate funds for concerts,
arrange exhibitions, form organizations that work to promote art, promote the art and culture
internationally, establish art galleries in maximum locations etc.
However, it is not only the government that must be responsible for the promotion of art, but it
should be promoted by the private sector as well. Government is an administrative body
responsible for the working of the whole nation. It needs to generate funds for many works like
building infrastructure, encouraging trade and public sector, developing technical know-how,
uplifting the poor, education of all and creating jobs for unemployed etc. Therefore, the
government has to judiciously allocate funds for its entire works. Moreover, there is great
potential in private art organizations to generate funds for this work. A lot of money can be
arranged by selling tickets of concerts and shows of great artists for which government's help is
not required. Hence, there should be an equal effort from people attached to art and culture to
promote it as much as they can.
In the end I would like to maintain that it is the art and culture of a nation that make its heritage
rich and vibrant. It takes the joint effort of the government and other organizations to promote its
art. Only such efforts can fully develop art to the extent that the nation is proud of its culture and
heritage.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 175
"For better or worse, education is a process that involves revising the ideas, beliefs, and values
people held in the past."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 175
Education is a process of teaching and learning which seeks to improve knowledge and skills. In
other words, education can be called a step towards progress and development since it aims at
making the society knowledgeable and skilled. In the process, education involves changing some
of the long held ideas and beliefs. I agree with the statement that the values, beliefs and ideas of
people in the past get revised as the society gets more educated. It may or may not lead to a
better society in future, but it is a slow and continuous process in which the old beliefs get
replaced by new ideas that are more practical and convincing.
In the primitive times people were not educated. They would believe anything that they would
see without understanding the logic behind it. If there were something that was unexplainable to
them and beyond their knowledge, they would relate it to the supernatural and form ideas and
beliefs regarding those phenomenons. However, as science progressed and explanation was
found behind most of the things happening around us, the shallowness in these beliefs became
exposed. This is how new ideas and beliefs replaced the older ones. Therefore, it is only with the
increase in knowledge that the older beliefs get replaced with new thoughts in the minds of
people.
In the previous ages, when man did not know the art of cultivation, a natural phenomenon like
rain was considered a heavenly fury instilled on mankind. However, slowly as man got the
knowledge of cultivation, this heavenly fury changed into a blessing for farmers. They would
depend completely on rain gods to water their fields. This saw a change in the beliefs held
towards a simple phenomenon like rain. As times progressed, people came to know about the
facts like scarcity of water, contamination of drinking water and global warming. This has
changed the whole perspective of people towards rains. Now, people do not only view rains as a
natural phenomenon, but they are also knowledgeable about the factors that control rains.
Therefore, there are increased efforts made by environmentalists towards planting more trees and
stopping deforestation.
Similarly, there have been many versions of people regarding the origin of the solar system.
While earlier people had no idea about the outer space, they believed that earth is the center of
the universe. Slowly, the theories like big bang came to be known which shattered the older
beliefs of people. It is only with more awareness that people shun their previously held beliefs
and adjust to the changing times.
Most of this change brought due to education is for a better and advanced future. However, some
changes in values can also prove to be dangerous. For example, with education, the world is
coming closer. As a result, there is a greater influence of developed countries on the young
minds. Children are more exposed to an open culture where their traditional values get replaced
with these western values. Such a change makes them take to bad habits like drinking and drug
addiction at a younger age. It has been seen that the more developed a nation is due to its
advancement in knowledge, the more its children are involved in drug abuse.
In the end, I would like to sum up by saying that with advancement and progress, the change in
ideas and beliefs of people in inevitable. I agree that education, which leads to this advancement
of a society, involves the change in the way people think and also the way they believe.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 176
"The study of history has value only to the extent that it is relevant to our daily lives."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 176
History is a great teacher. We not only have many things to learn from the experiences of people
in the past, but history is a guiding light for our actions. These may be the actions of our daily
lives, or actions to be carried out in future. The given statement takes only one aspect of the
effect of history. I believe that along with being relevant to our daily lives, history has a lot more
to offer as a guiding principle to our decisions in future as well.
When a student studies history, he might feel that it is no use digging out old graves. However,
he would realize the importance of history when he begins to correlate his present with the
events in the past. As it is said that history repeats itself, it can be observed that there are many
things that happen today which may have a reflection in the past. What we are today is only a
transformation of the past. The civilized society of today has its origin in the ancient
civilizations, the only difference being that with time there has been advancement and
development. However, if you come to think of it, we learnt to live in a civilized society much
before there was any development.
Apart from having its origin in the past, our present is greatly effected by events and happenings
of the past. We have learnt to stay in harmony with each other only because a history of conflict
and hostility has proved to be dangerous for everyone. We have seen that the wars in the past
have been extremely devastating. The world wars have not only caused great losses to life and
property, but they have also made irreparable damages to the existence of mankind on earth. The
formation of peace treaties and alliances in the present amongst various nations is due to these
lessons learnt from history. It is clear from a study of history how a nation becomes easy to
conquer if it is not united. The British had conquered many nations and made them their colonies
by adopting the policy of divide and rule. This teaches us that in order to keep a foreign power
from overpowering the nation, it must remain united and strong.
Similarly, since people have known a dictator like Hitler in the past, there is increased awareness
amongst them about their rights. It is only because we understand how dangerous dictatorship
can be for the common man that we can prevent a situation leading to dictatorship today. That is
why, every move and action of the governing body is observed and questioned by all the citizens
who want their rights to remain protected.
History guides us for the decisions to be taken for our future as well. For example, it has been
seen that deforestation and pollution has led to a great environmental imbalance. The life-saving
ozone layer is depleting. There are fewer rains and the increase in the global temperatures has
resulted in the melting of ice caps. All of this is but the result of human actions of increased
pollution and cutting down of trees. Contemplating that the result of this human behavior can be
dangerous for the existence of life on earth, it is being advocated to plant more trees and refrain
from polluting the environment further. Even if life continues today with the amount of
pollution, such decisions are made so that we can have a better and secure future. Therefore, it is
the past that teaches us the effect of deforestation and pollution on the environment.
In the end I would like to affirm my stand by saying that history not only has great relevance in
the present, but also it is a guiding principle for our future. We can see the reflection of our
present in the past and can also predict the outcome of our actions in the future by keeping in
mind the similar situations in history.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 177
"It is primarily through formal education that a culture tries to perpetuate the ideas it favors and
discredit the ideas it fears."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 177
Every culture sees changes where some ideas are perpetuated while some are discredited. Since
there can be many ideas that are not in accordance with the needs of a culture and can only harm
in some way or the other, it is best to shun them completely. Similarly, the ideas that are
favorable need to be carried on further. However, how is this change brought about? While I
agree that education helps in the knowledge of good and bad, I would like to add that there are
other means as well that are effective in changing ideas. Education is one of the means, but such
cultural changes need not be brought about primarily through formal education.
First of all, let us discuss the role of education in embedding the ideas a culture favors and
discrediting the ones it fears. A child's mind is like clay that can be molded in a desired shape. It
is in school that many of the ideas develop amongst children. For example, a school can
influence the patriotic feelings of a child by giving him the knowledge of the acts of great leaders
and freedom fighters towards one's country. Such ideas are generally perpetuated indirectly by
education. Formal education includes imparting knowledge of various subjects and also making
the child capable of thinking, reasoning and understanding things on his own. Therefore, when it
comes to professing the ideas of a culture, education may not be used as a direct medium of
perpetuating them, but makes the students capable of understanding the usefulness or uselessness
of the idea.
However, in some cults, formal education requires the students to understand and imbibe by the
norms of the culture. For example, in Buddhism, along with formal education the monks teach
their disciples the complete discipline of their faith and culture. Similarly, education in madrasas
is influenced and dominated with religious studies and cultural ideas. Nonetheless, these are but
a few examples. Speaking in general, formal education only professes the cultural ideas to a
certain extent in an indirect way. As I have mentioned earlier, there are other means apart from
education that are effective in carrying forward ideas favorable to a culture and discrediting those
which are not.
Means of mass communication like television, radio and newspapers are extremely effective in
encouraging or discouraging the masses about cultural ideas. These means not only reach out to a
great number of people but also are helpful in influencing their ideas. It is through the television
that people can watch their leaders profess the virtues and condemn the bad elements inherent in
a culture. Consequently, the followers of these leaders get influenced by their speeches,
documentaries, films, promotional advertisements etc and as a result, there is a change in the
ideas held by people. Similarly, many programs can be relayed through the radio that have a
similar purpose and can reach to a greater audience.
Newspapers are another means of communicating the ideas of thinkers. Through the articles
published in these papers, there are many changes brought about in the thinking that influence
the cultural traits of people. What is done indirectly by formal education, the media is capable of
doing in a direct and a straightforward way. For example, a documentary on backward villages
can help in exposing the shallowness of backward thinking and promote modern outlook.
In the end I would like to maintain that education is only one of the means to perpetuate the ideas
favorable to a culture and discredit the others. There are other means used for this purpose,
which are extremely effective and successful.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 178
"The true strength of a country is best demonstrated by the willingness of its government to
tolerate challenges from its own citizens."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 178
The strength of a nation depends upon its government as well as on its citizens. Not only does
the government require to be strong enough to administer the country and maintain peace and
order, the citizens also need to be aware and active in the affairs of the country. I agree with the
given statement that the strength of a country is demonstrated by the willingness of its
government to tolerate the challenges from its citizens, but I also believe that strength comes
from stability. This stability might be attained by tolerating the challenges from the citizens or it
might be maintained by a dominating government. The basic requirement therefore is the
ultimate triumph of peace and order over all issues.
As was seen in the older times, a nation's strength was measured by the size of its army. The
bigger a kingdom the more its army would be, which translated into a superpower. Those were
the days when the citizens were non-existent since their aggression, if any, was oppressed easily.
The strength of the country therefore depended upon how strong the governing body was.
Slowly, the power began to be shifted into the hands of the citizens. They started voicing their
thoughts that the governments could not ignore. Today, most of the nations have democratic
governments in which the citizens play an active part. There is a constant check over all the
actions of a government by the citizens who watch its every move cautiously. The government is
responsible and answerable to the citizens. On the other hand, it needs to be stable enough to
withstand internal disturbances created by some sections of the citizens. Therefore, it can be said
that the success of a government lies in its capability to face the challenges of this citizens.
There are many contrasting social issues in a developing nation that the government has to fight
in order to progress. In a country like India, the society consists of both, modern and backward
classes. Therefore, the government has to maintain a balance between the both. There are many
laws that are made against the thinking of these citizens who basically reside in villages;
however, it is difficult to fight the evils of a society. The government has to face the reality of
female feticide, restriction over widow remarriage, child marriage etc. There are also clashes
amongst citizens over religion and caste. If the government tries to uplift the scheduled castes by
giving them special quota and grants, it has to face the opposition of others who would be
effected with this decision. However, the strength of the country ultimately emerges from the
ability of the government to handle such contrasting issues and maintain peace and harmony in
the country.
As I have mentioned earlier, if the government is dominating enough to govern the country and
exercise considerable control over its citizens, it can maintain peace and harmony. For example,
the Chinese are communists because their government enforces certain laws over all citizens.
The power is in the hands of the Chinese government and as against democracy, the citizens
remain passive. However, China is one of the major powers today. This makes us think that the
strength of China may not lie in its ability to deal with the challenges of its citizens, but its
strength lies in maintaining a balance. It is only since there is peace and order in the country that
it is able to emerge as a strong nation. However, if there were internal chaos and disturbance in
China, its position would be different. It would have to make efforts to restore peace in the
country, which takes much of the attention and focus of the government. No government can be
called successful if this chaos and disorder continues.
To sum up, it is the ability of the government to maintain stability and harmony that makes a
country strong. A government may face internal challenges where a tense situation is created by
its citizens; however, its capacity to deal with these situations and emerge successful determines
the strength of the country.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 179
"All students should be required to take at least one course in ethics, even if taking the course
means a decreased emphasis on academic subjects."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 179
For a healthy society it is very important that the people develop an ethical attitude. It is only
when people have an understanding of what is good and what is bad that the society can be free
of evils. Ethics are not only required for a better society but also at an individual level. It is the
ethics of a person that help in his positive growth and make him socially acceptable. I agree with
the statement that students should be given a course in ethics. At the same time, I would like to
point out that it need not require shifting their attention from academic subjects. Academics
subjects have their own importance and this should not be ignored. I believe that both, ethical
education as well as academic training should go hand in hand by giving due importance to both
disciplines.
The main purpose of education is all-around development of a child's personality. Education
aims at the personal development of a child so that he grows up to be independent and well
adjusted in the society. That is why education should seek an all around development by keeping
in mind ethical development along with cognitive development of a child's personality. This
knowledge not only helps him at a personal level but also helps to progress professionally.
At a personal level, the ethics of a person restrict him from getting into unlawful activities like
promoting drugs, blackmailing, harming public property etc. When a student is given education,
he should also be told to make good use of his knowledge. A society can be free of evils only if
all people know their ethical limits and these limits guide their behavior.
The knowledge of ethics also goes a long way in the professional development of a person.
Ethics are the basis of every profession, be it a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, a scientist or a
politician. It is the ethics followed in a profession that guarantee a clean record of an employee,
which helps in his progress. For example, a teacher is guided by his ethics when he is fair to all
students. He must not resort to practices like leaking the test papers or giving marks to
undeserving students. On the other hand, if he is involved in such unethical activities, he will
soon see his own downfall. Similarly, a political leader should keep his words and not make false
promises to his followers. He should work towards fulfilling his promises instead of personal
gains. Public servants should extend help in every possible way to the citizens rather than use the
government facilities for their own personal benefits. It is the code of ethics that guide the
politician to perform his duties well.
However, I would like to add that academic subjects are also extremely important. The
curriculum of education is decided by keeping in mind all the important things that a student
must know. Therefore, it should not be ignored at any cost. However, I believe that there is
enough scope to add a course of ethics along with the general academic courses. Moreover, I
would like to add that ethical education is a continuous education that begins from the day a
child enters school to the time he completes his education. He not only learns to behave from
courses on ethics, but a child learns a lot more by observing the way his elders and teachers
behave. Therefore, along with introducing a course, ethics should be imbibed in the child's nature
throughout his education.
Conclusively, I would like to say that ethical education is very important for students, which can
be taught by setting examples for the child as well as by introducing a course in it. However,
academic subjects are equally important and the focus on academics should not be decreased.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 180
"Instant communication systems encourage people to form hasty opinions and give quick replies
rather than take the time to develop thoughtful, well-reasoned points of view."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 180
Instant communication systems like telephones and Internet have brought the world closer. They
have made it possible to reach every corner of the world within a few seconds. They have surely
helped in connecting people, surpassing all differences in terms of distance. Since they help in
forming a direct contact between people, there is an instant exchange of ideas and thoughts. I
agree that this system of instant contact can result in making hasty decisions since they demand
an instant reaction. There is very little time to react and the response is guided by the instinct of a
person. However, I am also of the view that people can make unreasonable decisions without
thinking logically even if they have enough time to respond. Therefore, more than encouraging
people to give quick replies, it can be said that these instant communication systems do not offer
the option of amending your opinion and changing your mind.
The instant communication systems make a person react to a situation for which he is
unprepared. In most cases, it is impossible to know beforehand about a call that a person is about
to receive. For example, your employer might call you suddenly on a day when you are off to
know certain details or explanation regarding some official work. The phone calls received by
call center employees from their customers are sudden and need immediate attention. Similarly,
in a one-to-one online discussion, there is a direct contact established between two people. In all
these situations, it cannot be known beforehand what the nature or subject of the call/discussion
would be. However, since a direct contact is established, it requires the person to answer the
queries instantly. This leaves very little time to think before replying and there is no way to undo
the response once given. As against this, if a person receives a letter by post, there is more
reaction time and he can think and change his opinion in his reply.
I would like to add here that these responses, whether it is to a telephone call or to a handwritten
letter, are led by the instincts of a person. How a person reacts in a particular situation depends
upon his nature. It is possible that a person is able to give the most thoughtful reply instantly on a
telephone. On the other hand, it can be so that given the time to think reasonably, the result is not
logically sound. Therefore, according to me, basically it is not the fault of the instant
communication systems that lead a person to make unreasonable decisions. Telephones and
Internet might prompt a person to make hasty decisions, but they may not always be
unreasonable. A deal which could take months of pondering and thinking might have the same
result as a deal quickly executed due to these instant communication systems. Therefore, the role
of these communication systems is to reduce the waste of time in the execution of the deal, rather
than encouraging the parties to take illogical decisions.
To sum up I would like to reaffirm my point of view that the instant communication systems are
the fastest way to get any piece of information or opinion from a distance. This could encourage
a speedy reply, but it would be unfair to hold these systems completely responsible for a
response that is unreasonable and not thoughtfully developed.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 181
"In many countries it is now possible to turn on the television and view government at work.
Watching these proceedings can help people understand the issues that affect their lives. The
more kinds of government proceedings-trials, debates, meetings, etc-that are televised, the more
society will benefit."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 181
In a democratic country, every citizen has a right to information. The government is answerable
to its people who form the basis of the administration. I agree that when government proceedings
are televised it makes people understand the issues that the government is dealing with. At the
same time I disagree with the part of the statement, which says that the more the kinds of
proceedings that are televised, the better it is for the society. In the following paragraphs I would
like to discuss the points that make me agree only partially with the given statement.
There are many democratic countries today that telecast the live proceedings of their
governments. A citizen plays a very important role in a democratic government for which he
must have information about the leaders. The first role of a citizen is that of a voter. Since he has
to cast his vote in favor of the leader who according to him is most responsible and competent,
he can do this only by a better understanding of the way these leaders work. With the telecast of
the proceedings, the citizens come to know how the leaders chosen by them are running the
government. It is only then that people can understand their leaders better. It makes them the
supporter of the leader who is most efficient and their precious votes help the leader to get
elected in the elections.
The second important role played by the citizens is that of a critic. It is in the hands of the citizen
to change the government if they are not satisfied with its work. With such live telecasts of
parliamentary activity citizens can understand the working of the government clearly. It helps
them to form their opinions and make a judgment about their leaders. They get an idea of who
can work better as an administrator. Therefore, if the government is not doing justice to its
office, the citizens can observe this by the televised programs and change the government when
required.
The televised programs are definitely helpful for the citizens, but at the same time I maintain that
too much telecast of the proceedings can harm, rather than benefit the society. The first reason
that makes me hold this view is that there could be many issues in the proceedings that need
secrecy, and if exposed to the public, would create serious security concerns. Discussions related
to the defense mechanism, contrasting views regarding religion, caste etc., measures to deal with
national and international terrorism etc. need to be discussed in secrecy. For example, there are
chances of a communal riot to break out if the government's debates regarding sensitive religious
or communal issues are telecasted. Similarly, if the parliamentary meetings over the issue of
security and defense measures are televised, it is likely to be misused by anti social elements,
which can pose a threat to the country.
The second reason for my disagreement with this subject is that the live telecast of more and
more government proceedings exposes the behavior of the parliamentarians. There are many
debates, conversations and discussions held in such proceedings, which sometimes lead to
quarrels. It is agreeable that the issues dealt by the government are not easy to handle and every
leader can have his personal opinion. However, if quarrels and violence by these leaders is
televised, it puts a wrong impression on the citizens. They could start losing confidence in the
government and would probably stop believing in the otherwise good leaders.
In the end I would like to reassure my stand that telecasting government proceedings surely helps
the people in understanding their government better. However, if this is taken to an extent, and
more of these proceedings begin to be televised, it can harm the society to a great extent.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 182
"The purpose of many advertisements is to make consumers want to buy a product so that they
will 'be like' the person in the ad. This practice is effective because it not only sells products but
also helps people feel better about themselves."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 182
Advertising is a very important part of marketing a product. It aims at reaching out to the
consumers and telling them the benefits of the product. Therefore, all efforts are made to make
these advertisements attractive for the consumers. That is why these advertisements generally
feature personalities that are liked by people so that they create the best effect. I agree that
advertisement encourages the consumers to buy a certain product because they want to follow
their icon and be like them. It surely is a good sales technique and does make many people feel
better about themselves. However, people should not be carried away by these advertisements
and should make a careful choice of the products so that they do not get disillusioned in the end.
With the introduction of a number of brands of a particular product, there is cutthroat
competition in the market today. Each brand wants to attract more and more customers. This is
where advertising plays a very important part. When people see their favorite personality,
promoting a product, they believe that these celebrities use the product in their personal lives as
well. These celebrities become their role models and people want to emulate everything they do
in their lives. Therefore, they get attracted towards the product that features famous models and
celebrities in its advertisements.
While some people feel that they can be like the person in the advertisement, others feel that the
product promoted by these models is of the best quality and makes a style statement. For
example, people would like to use the cream used by Julia Roberts thinking that this could be the
reason behind her beauty. Similarly, if Brad Pitt models for the advertisement of a watch, people
would like to buy it even if it is extremely expensive. They make a world of illusions around
themselves and this gives them a sense of satisfaction, which makes them feel good. However, it
must be realized that what is shown in these advertisements is not the truth. If this is not realized,
it might lead to frustration and disillusionment of people.
The models and celebrities featuring in advertisements are generally famous because of their
beauty and fitness. However, it must be realized that these models are paid to feature in ads and
it does not necessarily mean that they use these products. The purpose of choosing famous
people is only to attract more and more customers to buy a particular product, which may be only
slightly different from a similar product. Therefore, the expectations from the products should
not be taken too far. Although the models also have a responsibility and they only feature in the
ads of a good quality product, people should not believe that the product could have magical
effects. There are many people who think that a fairness cream promoted by a film personality
can work wonders and other products are useless. However, in reality when the desired results
are not achieved, it can cause disillusionment in some cases as well.
Therefore, after some time people need to come out of their dream world and be realistic to
understand that while some products can make some differences, drastic changes should not be
expected. In the end I would maintain that a product's sale gets affected if it features a famous
personality in its ads, as people want to imitate their idols. This can bring some satisfaction to
them; however, it should not be taken too far to lead to frustration and disappointment.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 183
"When we concern ourselves with the study of history, we become storytellers. Because we can
never know the past directly but must construct it by interpreting evidence, exploring history is
more of a creative enterprise than it is an objective pursuit. All historians are storytellers."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 183
History is an account of events as they occurred in the past. Since our ancestors are not present to
tell us these events, we depend upon historians to construct the same for us. The writer of the
given statement believes that historians are no more than storytellers since they treat the
construction of history as a creative enterprise rather than an objective pursuit. However, I differ
with the writer on this point and believe that history is basically based on objective facts. All the
facts are diligently brought together to construct the events of the past with little use of creative
enterprise.
Knowing the past directly is impossible. However, our historians present a picture of the past as
if they have recorded these events. This makes many people believe that historians make the use
of imagination in order to give shape to the few facts in hand. However, a historian's work is not
that easy. History, as it is presented to us, is not just the framework of the mind of a historian
loosely based on a few objective realities. There are many studies and discussions amongst
historians that go into constructing history. Therefore, history is the putting together of all facts
to form a continuous record of events.
History is made when historians get a lead from excavating new sights, studying the remains,
interpreting manuscripts, fossils and collecting similar data. Along with these, historians rely on
radiocarbon dating in order to calculate the age of the old objects found. It is after a detailed
study of all these that historians come to a particular conclusion. For example, when different
types of tools made of stone were found, it could be understood that early man used these to cut
trees and kill animals. Similarly, the excavation of ancient civilizations has helped the historians
in establishing history. From these excavations it could be understood that man learnt the art of
cultivation, pottery, trade and other such things. Similarly, the complete history of British
Empire is not just a construction of the imagination of historians with a couple of pieces of
evidence, but it is after collecting as much evidence as possible from the British empire as well
as its colonies that its history has taken shape. There has been evidence in form of written
account of British lords as well as others, newspaper articles, letters and many such unavoidable
proofs that help in establishing the facts. Therefore, the role of creative enterprise is very limited
in such cases.
I however, do not refute the fact that there is no place of creative pursuit in history. When it
comes to bringing continuity between two facts, the historians have to construct the most
probable story. That is why sometimes there are contrasting views between the interpretations of
different historians. However, this creative pursuit does not take away the truth provided by
evidence. That is to say, these imaginative bits and parts of the story are only gap fillers and
history remains dominated by objective pursuit of these historians. If history were more of a
creative enterprise than objective pursuit, there would be no difference between historical
accounts and folklores or legends.
To sum up, history cannot be regarded as a story told by a storyteller since there goes in a lot of
effort on the part of historians in order to come to a conclusion. History is backed with enough
evidence for which it cannot be dismissed as a creation of the mind of a historian, but must be
regarded as unchangeable account of facts and events.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 184
"The worldwide distribution of television programs and advertisements is seriously diminishing
the differences among cultures."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 184
Today television is an integral part of every household. Television viewing has become a daily
activity, more than a source of entertainment for everyone. It offers its viewers an exposure with
which they are exposed to most of the world and its culture. People get influenced with its
programs and advertisements to a great extent. I agree that these programs and advertisements
are diminishing the differences among cultures. There is an increased awareness about different
cultures that results in blending of traits of all cultures.
Since television has become increasingly popular, its programs and advertisements reach to a
wide range of people. Moreover, the freedom of expression has further encouraged these
programs to depict varied cultures. There are programs and movies from the west telecasted in
the east. Similarly, the western countries can access the programs of the eastern countries. This
not only makes it easier for them to understand different cultures but they also adopt many of
these traits consciously or unconsciously.
For example, since the western movies are shown in almost all parts of the world alike, it creates
a great impact on the minds of its viewers. The film stars belonging to one part of the world
become known and are admired by people all around the world who watch them on televisions
and advertisements. These stars define fashion by what they wear and how they look, and people
try to imitate their favorite star. In turn they incorporate many traits of the culture as are depicted
by these stars. Similarly, the Buddhist culture made famous by the television programs has
become very famous all over the world. We can see people from different parts of the world
taking to Buddhism and other such sects since they have been encouraged by what they watch on
television.
This trend of borrowing from other cultures is most commonly seen amongst youngsters who are
always ready to try new things. Young girls get influenced by clothes worn by Britney Spears
and want to look like her. Therefore, a similar pattern of clothes can be seen adorned by a
Chinese, American, Indian as well as Malaysian. However, this cultural influence is not
restricted to youngsters only. Others seem to incorporate some features of a foreign culture in
their lives as well. For example, people are shifting from joint families toward nuclear families,
and from nuclear families to living alone or with a partner. Where marriages were an important
feature of many cultures, live-in relationships can increasingly be seen in every part of the world.
There is no doubt that the role played by television programs and advertisements in diminishing
the differences amongst cultures is immense. As a result, a cosmopolitan culture has come into
existence that can be identified by most of the people all over the world. However, this does not
mean that the original cultures would cease to exist in the times to come. Like there are people
who accept the features of another culture, there are those who strictly follow their culture. This
means that even if there is intermixing of cultures there are those who preserve their culture
willingly.
In the end I would like to conclude by saying that television not only introduces different
cultures to people but also influences them to follow the traits in such a way that the difference in
two cultures begins to diminish. At the same time it is by the conscious and deliberate efforts of
few strong willed people that there is hope of survival of distinct cultures.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 185
"Some educational systems emphasize the development of students' capacity for reasoning and
logical thinking, but students would benefit more from an education that also taught them to
explore their own emotions."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 185
Education seeks to make a child well adjusted in society and help him to lead a satisfying and
successful life. It not only aims at the cognitive development, but physical, moral, ethical and
social development as well. While it is important that the child develops reasoning abilities, it is
also important that he is able to understand his emotions as well as control them when required. I
completely agree that education must develop reasoning and logical thinking along with teaching
the students to explore their own emotions.
Education has a very important role to play in a child's life. It prepares the child to face the world
and shape up his future. It is in school that students learn the most important lessons of their
lives. It not only sharpens their skills but also makes them civilized human beings. Therefore, the
role of education is significant in shaping up an all around personality.
Since a person is met with problems and difficulties at every step in life and career, it is very
important to have the ability of reasoning out the solutions. In order to be successful, a student
must therefore learn to think logically and come to the most logical solution. For example, it is
very important for a businessman to tackle tricky situations with logic and reasoning. He has to
make an estimate of his resources before expanding his business. Similarly, he must understand
the demand and supply of his products, or the ratio of input and its output. Moreover, if he is
faced with any unexpected problems, he must be able to come out of it by thoughtfully coming to
a conclusion. This ability of thinking and reasoning is taught through education.
On the other hand, it can be understood that doing a task is as important as being able to endure
the emotional requirements of the task. While logic and reasoning help in making decisions and
doing any task to the best of ones capacity, the exploration of ones emotions is the driving force,
which makes a person believe in the task. As mentioned by the writer in the statement, education
must also teach students to explore their emotions. If the students are able to understand their
emotions, they can guide themselves to a better decision. For example, a student may be
extremely intelligent due to which he could be encouraged to become a doctor. However, if he is
unable to see the sufferings of others, or does not have the heart of facing a mutilated body, he
will never be able to succeed in his profession. Therefore, along with knowing the mental
capacity of a student it is important for him to understand his emotional strength as well.
I would like to add here that along with teaching the students to explore their emotions, students
must also be taught to control hypersensitive emotions. An emotionally weak person has no
place in this competitive world. A student should therefore not only be able to identify his
emotional weakness but also should be taught to come out of it. As discussed above, to some
extent, it is the emotions of a person that make him decide a number of things in his life,
however, one should not be a slave of his emotions as well.
In the end I would like to reaffirm my stand that education should encourage all around
development of a student. Therefore, along with teaching the students the ability to think and
reason logically, education should also seek to make them understand as well as control their
emotions.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 186
"It is primarily through our identification with social groups that we define ourselves."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 186
The identity of a person is his characteristics, features or beliefs that help in distinguishing him
from others. It gives the answer to a stranger who is unknown to you and thus helps in defining
your persona. However, one wonders what the best definition of a person would be. I believe the
definition of a person depends upon the people he is interacting with. While superficially we can
identify ourselves with social groups in order to define ourselves, a deeper definition becomes
explicit, giving importance to ndividual identity within a social group. Holding this view, I agree
with the statement only partially, and I would like to add that a person does not only define
himself by identifying with a social group but also by his personal characteristics that differ from
others'.
People are generally a part of some social group or the other. This social group can be identified
for its distinct characteristics from another and these characteristics help the person define his
personality. This is the definition of an individual as taken in the superficial sense. For example,
if a student visits a foreign country for an exchange program, he refers to himself according to
his nationality, which is the social group he belongs to. In an international beauty contest, we
have different contestants from various parts of the world and they are referred to as Miss Africa,
Miss Venezuela etc. Sometimes an individual is a part of more than two social groups at the
same time. That means that a person can be a Christian as well as an Indian. Belonging to a
social group helps to identify peculiar characteristics of a person with the members of the same
group and distinguish from those of another. It is not only a matter of convenience to refer to the
broader social groups that a person belongs to but also the only thing that significantly
distinguishes a person from others.
On the other hand, I hold that the true definition of a person lies in what he is when he stands as
a single unit, without attaching himself to any social group. It is this definition of the self which
is more important and detailed when it comes to the description of a person. For example, if a
person goes for an interview for a job and is asked to define himself, he would have to bring out
his personal definition by introducing himself by his name. Further, the employer would like to
know his personal achievements, interests, experiences and skills. It would not matter to him if
the candidate belongs to any social group. Similarly, the personal achievements of people like
Newton and Graham Bell is what helps to define them.
Further, the view expressed in the statement also does not help to define a person who does not
belong to any social group. There could be many people who are not socially active and thus do
not identify themselves with any group in particular. The statement does not help in defining
these people who however may establish their personal identities.
In the end I would like to conclude that defining a person by identifying him with a social group
only defines him on a superficial scale. However, on a detailed scale, it is the personal
characteristics, interests, sex, achievements, skills and ideas that make a person different from
the other.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 187
"Humanity has made little real progress over the past century or so. Technological innovations
have taken place, but the overall condition of humanity is no better. War, violence, and poverty
are still with us. Technology cannot change the condition of humanity."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 187
We have come a long way over the past century. Our lives have changed to unimaginable limits.
There has been a technological boost that has helped in changing the standards of living. In the
past one century there has also been a change in the condition of humans. People have risen from
their past to a better position and there are fewer wars and violence all over the world. However,
this has little to do with technology. I differ from the given statement because according to me,
the condition of humanity is affected by technology only to a limited extent, beyond which it is
the administration that is responsible for its people. Therefore, technology can do only little on
its own to make a difference to the condition of humanity.
As mentioned earlier by me, there has been a great change in humanity in the past century. If the
evils of the society like war, poverty and violence have not completely vanished, they have
surely reduced. Many countries have gained independence in the past century and are on the road
to development. Similarly, peace treaties are signed among nations to avoid wars. The condition
of poor has improved to a great extent because of the innovation of technology. For example, in
case of floods about a century ago, people either used to be wiped out or die of hunger since
there was no way to reach to them. However, these days due to advancement of technology, it is
easier to reach flood-hit areas and provide people with food and medicines. They can be
evacuated and thus many lives can be saved. Similarly, with the help of technology, it is easier to
predict cyclones and sea disturbances, and consequently people living by seaside be warned to
move to safer places. Apart from technological help, there are many organizations working for
humanity. Therefore, it would be incorrect to say that humanity has made very little progress in
the past century.
As can be observed, technology has helped humanity in the ways that it could. However, for the
upliftment of the poor and progress of humanity, it is not the technological development but the
government organizations and efforts made by people that make a difference. It is the efforts of
the administration that can help in reducing violence, wars and poverty. Technological
innovations have made life easier, but it must be noted that it is not easily accessible by the poor.
A developing nation could have technical know-how but it also could have a lot of people below
poverty line. For the poor it is more important to make their ends meet. It becomes difficult or
them to afford costly treatments and medicines etc. Similarly, a poor farmer burdened with debt
cannot afford to buy good variety of seeds, pesticides, tractors etc. This is where the government
steps in. It is only if the administration is efficient that humanitarian work will make progress.
The administration can provide subsidized seeds and pesticides to farmers. It can establish
government hospitals in order to extend free medical help to the poor. Similarly, it is only when
the administration makes efforts to educate all children, bring down the gap between rich and
poor and provide jobs for all that there is hope of a brighter future.
Similarly, we cannot hold technological innovations responsible for the wars and violence, but it
is the administration that has to make wise and appropriate decisions by keeping in mind the
benefit of the masses. If nuclear power poses a threat to world peace, it is in the hands of
administration to make justified use of the same.
I therefore believe that humanitarian work is but the efforts of people and administrators. While
humanity has surely made great progress since the past century, war, violence and poverty can
only be reduced by the efforts of administrators.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 188
"It is through the use of logic and of precise, careful measurement that we become aware of our
progress. Without such tools, we have no reference points to indicate how far we have advanced
or retreated."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 188
Progress is a process of improving in order to get nearer to achieving a particular goal. It is a
relative issue since we measure this success in terms of how near to the goal a person has
reached. I agree with the given statement that it is through certain careful measurements that we
get to know actual progress. However, I also feel that such tools can help in tracing the progress
of only certain fields. The progress in many fields is not possible to measure in terms of accurate
and precise measurements, but it is left to observe how far we have retreated or advanced or in
which direction we have progressed.
Measuring ones progress starts early in life when a child begins to go to school. There are
predefined standard measurements used in school that grade a student's progress. Not only does
this help in making an estimate of individual progress, but it also helps in recording a student's
progress against the progress of others. With every advancing class, there is advancement in the
mental capabilities of a student. Another example of measuring progress through accurate and
precise tools can be taken in the field of business. A business is called progressive if its
customers, profits as well as shares are increasing. All these factors can be measured and can
clearly indicate the direction of progress. Similarly, the number of votes a government gets is an
indicator of its progress. In order to judge the progress of a nation, the increase or decrease in its
national income, number of people below poverty line, the value of its currency in international
market etc. can be measured.
Scientific measurements can definitely help in simplifying and vividly indicating the progress in
a field. However, I hold the view that these measures and tools are only limited to certain fields
which have a criterion of measurement. There are many such fields that are abstract and only
refer to some idea. It is impossible to measure these ideas with scientific tools and units. For
example, can the progress in goodness, truthfulness and humanity be measured by use of logic
and precise measurements? These ideas and qualities are only understood and their progress is
comprehendible only by observation and understanding.
Let us take the example of happiness. Can any tool or unit of measurement tell us the extent of
happiness? We cannot measure on any scale if a rich businessman is happier than a poor farmer.
The status of their respective wealth is in no case a measurement of their satisfaction and
happiness in life. A businessman can be extremely wealthy but at the same time he could be
undergoing tensions and worries that keep him from being happy. An addition of money to his
riches cannot ensure that his happiness quotient will also advance. The state of happiness is
however reflected on the facial expression of these people, which is only observed and
understood, but cannot be measured.
To sum up, I would like to say that there are certain methods of measuring progress in many
areas. By using logic and scientific tools, we can not only come to know if we have advanced or
retreated, but also know the extent of progress or retreat. However, this is possible only with an
exception to certain fields that cannot be measured in terms of quantity, distance or any other
units. It is only a matter of understanding and observing progress in these fields and that does not
come from any scientific measurement.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 189
"With the growth of global networks in such areas as economics and communication, there is no
doubt that every aspect of society-including education, politics, the arts, and the sciences-will
benefit greatly from international influences."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 189
With the world coming closer due to various networks, it is possible to communicate and interact
from a distance within no time. Telecommunication and satellite communication have greatly
helped in building up interaction across the world that has affected almost every field in its own
way. There is tremendous impact of these global networks on every field like education, politics,
art and science. However, it cannot be determined whether all these fields stand only to benefit
from this impact. I agree that there is great benefit of these global networks, but global
networking has also proved to be detrimental in certain ways to these fields.
If a field stands to benefit from global networks in a particular way, it might be at a disadvantage
in another way. Therefore, it is a matter of how these networks are used by people of various
fields in order to know its merits or demerits distinctly. Let us begin by emphasizing the benefits
of network connections throughout the world. In the field of art, these global network
connections help in giving a greater canvass to artists. Therefore, there is global recognition of
their art. The distinct features of art can be presented to the world and inspiration can be drawn
from the works of others.
Similarly, the influence of global networks on education and science is noteworthy for its
benefits. It is through these network connections that it is possible to access information from
any part of the world. The Internet works as a storehouse of information for students. It also
makes international exchange of ideas and discussion amongst students as well as teachers
possible. The science, technology, research and information developed in one part of the world
can be shared by the whole world at the same time. Scientists from all over the world can have
chat sessions and communicate their ideas through these network connections.
In the field of politics, global networking plays a very important role. It is through these
connections that a country can express its concern towards an international issue. It gives the
opportunity to learn from the political blunders committed by other countries and avoid such
situations in future. For example, it can be learnt from the political situations of Iraq that a state
of chaos can lead to internal and external disturbances.
On the other hand, these global networks have proven to be disastrous in many ways. For
example, in the field of art, the negative effect of global network is seen in the intermingling of
different features of art, which would eventually destroy the originality that exists in a particular
genre. In the field of education, students are exposed to a lot of information that can have a bad
influence on their minds and can divert them from their goals. With global sharing of science and
technology, even dangerous information gets shared worldwide, which can be used against
humanity and mankind by many international terrorists. World politics also stands to affect from
global networks in such a way that it can favor the powerful as well as the fanatics to know the
weakness of the politics of another country. Hence, this weakness can be made use of and these
countries can be exploited to the extent that it causes internal disturbances as well as increases
international dependence.
I would like to sum up by saying that no field is left unaffected by global networks. However, it
is not always to the benefit of a particular field to have international access and connections. As
there are benefits, there are also disadvantages that come with global networks.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 190
"In any field of endeavor-the sciences, the humanities, the social sciences, industry, etc.-it is not
the attainment of a goal that matters, but rather the ideas and discoveries that are encountered on
the way to the goal."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 190
While attempting something new or different, one encounters many new experiences. The whole
process of the attempt to reach a certain goal becomes a learning experience. One faces new
ideas and discoveries at every step of the endeavor. I agree that these discoveries and ideas are
very essential and help in the overall growth. However, I also believe that attainment of a goal is
equally important. It is not only the means but also the end that I consider of great value.
When we undertake a task to accomplish a particular goal, we also have a firsthand experience of
working towards the goal. In this process, there are many new discoveries and ideas that we
come across. These discoveries not only increase the knowledge but also refine the way we work
towards our goal. A student who aims to be a doctor needs to work hard with sincerity and
dedication in order to accomplish his goal. Moreover, he needs to have clear ideas and feeling of
compassion towards people so that he can help them get rid of their miseries. These ideas help in
shaping up his career and refining his skills as a doctor. It is only through his experiences that he
would learn the bigger lessons of life.
Many times it so happens that these discoveries and ideas that appear in the effort to get to
somewhere are what help to define a successful endeavor. For example, it was only when
Newton was struck with the idea of an apple falling from the tree that he came up with the laws
of gravity. It is evident that he did not have the aim of finding gravity since this phenomenon
was not known beforehand to him. However, it only came to existence due to the discoveries and
ideas of the great thinker while doing a completely different activity. Therefore, it can be said
that the ideas and discoveries in the path of an endeavor are a creation of the working mind and
they can lead to great discoveries of the future.
The means to reach to a goal are important because they are the soul of the task and define the
quality of work. However, it does not undervalue the importance of having a goal. I am of the
view that it is the goal that is the driving force behind the task and this should not be ignored. It
gives a lead to the task and becomes an inspiration for us. Things like telephones, bulbs etc have
been invented only because the scientists had a goal in mind. It is the goal of forming a stable
and a secure society that gives birth to democracy and fundamental rights. Similarly, in an
industry or business, a target has to be formed beforehand to produce a given number of goods in
the given time so that the best use of its resources is made. An endeavor is not complete unless
its target is reached. In case the need of forming a goal is underestimated, the efforts and hard
work loses its direction, and it might result in a waste of time in the end. If an industry were not
able to meet its deadline, all the produce that it produces would go waste along with the efforts
put in it.
I therefore feel that along with the discoveries and ideas that are encountered in the way to the
goal, the goal itself is also important. We should not ignore any of the two in order to have a
successful and satisfying endeavor.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 191
"When research priorities are being set for science, education, or any other area, the most
important question to consider is: How many people's lives will be improved if the results are
successful?"
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 191
Research work in any area is carried out to look for answers to existing questions or to dig for
information that was hitherto unknown. How can then one assess whether the results of the
research work would be successful or not? Even if there is a strong possibility of the results
being successful, how can one ascertain how many people's lives would be improved by these
results because no one knows what the results would be like. The need to provide a high priority
to the question, "How many people's lives will be improved if the results are successful?" is
therefore, highly unjustified.
Before starting research work on any subject, the priorities of the research team would involve
planning the method in which they have to carry out their research work, the time constraints, the
ideal end result that they are looking for etc. It is true that the effect of the results on the lives of
people will also be an important aspect that has to be considered, but this question cannot be
accorded a high priority as we would be incapable of accurately judging the number of people
whose lives would be improved. Even if one does arrive at an estimate of the number of people
whose lives would be improved, one will have to take into account the side-effects of the results
as well. All the results of any form of research work can be used for both positive as well as
negative purposes. If we start taking the negative aspects of the results of research work into
consideration, then it is unlikely that we will be able to justify the conduct of a majority of
research works in all fields.
When the research work on atomic energy was being carried out, could there have been an
estimate of the number of people whose lives would be improved by the results of the research
work? On the contrary, millions of people lost their lives and even more people are living with
the aftermath of the atomic explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Had the researchers been able
to foresee this effect that the results of their research work had on mankind? There is no denying
the fact that a number of people have benefited from the results of the said research work as it
has led to the generation of power as well. Even if the negative impact of the research work had
been foreseen and it had been given a high priority, then stopping the research work could have
led to a scenario wherein the generation of nuclear power would not have been possible.
The controversial research work on genetic mutations may affect the lives of millions of people
by finding the cures for various terminal diseases. However, the results of such a research work
can also be used for altering the genetic makeup of humans and animals to create monsters.
Hence, it is evident that the effect of the results of a research work on the lives of people should
not be given a high priority as one cannot predict the turn of events that might take place once
the results are available for common use.
Therefore, it is in the interest of the society that all forms of research work should be allowed to
progress without paying much importance to the number of people who are likely to see
improvements in their lives as a result of the consequences of the research work.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 192
"So much is new and complex today that looking back for an understanding of the past provides
little guidance for living in the present."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 192
Technology is experiencing an exponential growth in the modern world. Gadgets and their
associated technologies are getting obsolete within a couple of years. Until about 10 years ago
floppy disks were the main devices for external storage or data transfer and now the latest
machines don't even come with floppy drives. Does this mean that we can completely forget
about studying how floppy disks worked or can we afford to ignore the advantages and
drawbacks of floppy disks? On the contrary, it was a detailed research on the pros and cons of
using floppy disks that led to the development of CDs and DVDs. Therefore, it is evident that
despite the complexities of modern world, it is important to look back and understand the past
for succeeding in all future endeavors. Moreover, one can find the solutions to present day
problems only by learning from past experiences.
Why is there such a hue and cry over nuclear disarmament all across the world? This is because
Man has been witness to a nuclear holocaust early in the Twentieth century. The experiences of
the past have guided us to improve our present by taking necessary steps to ensure that such an
event does not recur in the future. Could this have been possible if we had chosen to ignore
studying the past for planning our future?
Everyone is aware of the toll taken by the World Wars on human lives and national economies.
A study of these wars has prompted nations to strive for improving their relations with each other
in a bid to avoid unnecessary wars. At the same time, studies of the wars that have taken place in
the past are a very important part of the military strategy of any country. The defense tactics of
any army is largely based on the lessons learnt from the wars fought by them in the past.
Whenever an operation has to be launched by troops in a new area or terrain, the first step is to
gather information related to similar operations that may have been conducted in the same area
in the past. Such information prepares them for what can be expected during the course of their
impending military operations. Therefore, it can be seen that understanding the past is absolutely
essential for living in the present despite the fact that now we are much more technologically
advanced than we were in the past.
Technological advancements have succeeded in providing us with the modern luxuries of life,
but we have been able to come this far only because of the guidance we got from our past. The
roots of the present day technology lie in the scientific theories that were formulated in the past.
Can we afford to ignore the theories of Science or the Mathematical formulae, which were
established in the past, for setting forth new theories? It is absolutely essential for researchers
and scientists to study what has been researched in the past so that they are able to get the
required guidance for their research work in the present. This is the research work that results in
the technological developments.
We have been awed by the archaeological marvels that were constructed in the past. There have
been numerous studies based on the construction techniques of the past and the modern day
architects have utilized the same techniques time and again for constructing buildings in the
present. A study of the past not only reveals the mistakes done by the people of that era, but one
also gets to learn a lot from the time tested techniques that were used successfully. In conclusion,
it is evident that we are progressing into the future only because we have chosen to understand
the past and utilize it as a starting point for all our present day work.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 193
"At various times in the geological past, many species have become extinct as a result of natural,
rather than human, processes. Thus, there is no justification for society to make extraordinary
efforts, especially at a great cost in money and jobs, to save endangered species."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 193
It is the responsibility of humans to maintain the ecological balance of our planet by virtue of
their being the most intelligent creatures on earth. Moreover, Man has the necessary power to
save endangered species to ensure that the ecological balance of the Earth is not disturbed.
However, there is no apparent reason for society to save endangered species at costs of money
and jobs that are very high. Therefore, it is essential that society makes all possible efforts to
save endangered species, but if the costs involved are sky high, then the society can choose not
to save the species and save the human costs instead.
We no longer see Dinosaurs on the planet whereas they freely roamed on Earth eons ago. Has
their non-existence made any difference to life on Earth? It can be accepted that their
disappearance would have made some difference to the food chain as they were one of the most
prominent predators. However, in today's context their absence has no effect on the food chain
existing on the planet. Similarly, it is highly probable that the extinction of a particular species of
animals may be of no consequence in the future. Therefore, it would not be justified to spend an
enormous amount of money in trying to save the species. On the other hand, if the species can be
saved without much investment, then society should do its bit to preserve the environment and
the animals that live therein.
The same line of reasoning may not hold true for certain types of plants and animals. This is
because apart from providing nutrition, certain species of plants and animals have been known to
have therapeutic advantages including herbal remedies. For instance, cod-liver oil is well known
for its content of Omega 3 fatty acids that help you fight against heart disease, cancer,
depression, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, ulcers, diabetes and a host of other diseases. Plants
containing Aloe Vera have now been found to have extremely useful healing properties and all
the species containing Aloe Vera are now in high demand. Therefore, society may have to make
an attempt to save any of these species if they are endangered, but technology has now
developed so much that one can look for other alternatives if the cost of saving these species
goes beyond what society can easily afford.
There are certain natural events that are beyond the control of society. Recurring floods, storms,
forest fires, climatic changes etc. may be playing havoc with the existence of certain types of rare
species. There is little that society can do to contain such events in such a way that the species
are preserved. There will be the requirement of pulling in maximum resources for making efforts
to save every endangered species. Society will need to go to extreme extents in case of
attempting to save endangered species that exist at high altitudes or at ocean floors. Therefore, in
a majority of cases, society should avoid making an attempt to save endangered species that
would require colossal efforts.
The fact remains that in the face of catastrophic chain effects as a result of the extinction of a
particular plant or animal, it might become necessary for society to save the species. Other than
this reason, there is no evident reason for which society should invest huge amounts of money
and other human costs to save each and every species of plants and animals.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 194
"We owe almost all our knowledge not to people who have agreed, but to people who have
disagreed."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 194
The greatest source of knowledge is interaction with others. If we analyze the knowledge that we
have acquired over the years, some of it would have come to us by reading but most of the
knowledge would have been imparted to us by either our parents or by other people around us.
This includes all people who have either agreed or disagreed with us. Agreement reveals new
aspects in favor of the topic being discussed and disagreement brings forward aspects that would
not have been thought of by us. Therefore, both agreement and disagreement contribute in a
major way to whatever knowledge has been acquired by us.
When you interact with a person who disagrees with your point of view, you try your best to
convince him and prove the validity of your stance. If you are not able to immediately think of
strong evidence in your favor, you may even go back and read more about the issue that was
being discussed so that you are able to prove your viewpoint whenever the discussion comes up
again. Moreover, you may feel the urge to explore the viewpoint of the other person so that you
are able to refute his claims in some way or the other. The entire process will ensure that you
have increased your knowledge about that particular topic from different perspectives. On the
other hand, if you interact with someone who agrees with you, then you may not be able to
acquire additional knowledge as you will not feel the requirement of reading more about the
issue. However, you may be able to learn something new from the positive discussion in which
people would bring out more points in favor of your viewpoint.
At the same time, disagreements can lead to unpleasant situations wherein no one is willing to
accept the viewpoint of the other. Such discussions lead nowhere and none of the participants is
able to gain any knowledge as they are busy contradicting the views of the other people who are
disagreeing with them. It would be highly unjustified to assume that such a discussion could
have favorable results. The same set of people may be able to learn something if they interact
with people who share their views. Common grounds for discussions lead to a constructive
interaction wherein people share their knowledge with others who have the same viewpoint.
Take for example, discussions carried out by teachers in classrooms. The teacher always
encourages active participation from the students in the form of healthy discussions. There is
never a restriction on the students to stick to the viewpoint of the teacher. The students have the
liberty to voice their opinions as this is considered as the best method for imparting knowledge.
Schools keep conducting debate competitions wherein students can speak for or against the
motion. If it were true that disagreement does not lead to any fruitful gains with respect to
knowledge, then the education system would not have emphasized so much on discussions in
classrooms where the students have the liberty of choosing their points of view.
Whenever there are conferences regarding some project either in business establishments or in
public undertakings, everyone is given a chance to voice his opinions as the person chairing the
meeting knows that discussions which are done either in agreement or in disagreement will reap
benefits. This is because people who speak in favor of the issue being discussed will bring out
the advantages of the implementation of the project and the people who do not agree with some
aspects of the project will be able to reveal some flaws in the project, which were perhaps
ignored by the management.
In conclusion, it is evident that people tend to gain knowledge whenever their ideas and
viewpoints are opposed by others. At the same time, we have to accept the fact that people who
are in agreement with us serve to add to our knowledge by providing us with appreciation for our
ideas and other information that further consolidates our views.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 195
"It is possible to identify a person's politics within a very short time of meeting him or her.
Everything about people-their clothes, their friends, the way they talk, what they eat-reflects their
political beliefs."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 195
It has been heard time and again that the first impression is generally the last impression. A
person's behavior speaks volumes about the type of thinking supported by the person. Therefore,
one needs little time to gauge the beliefs of a person by studying his dressing style, his company
and his general mannerisms.
The political beliefs of a person may be related to his views on various issues pertaining to the
society, economy, government, human relations etc. The best way to know a person is by talking
to him. He is bound to discuss issues in such a way that it will reveal his political beliefs. If he
supports nationalistic views, there would be no reason for him to support an issue that goes
against the interests of the nation as he would like to accord a high priority to the interests of the
nation. A person who is a conservative will always support the norms laid down by society
irrespective of being outnumbered by people who think otherwise. Someone who supports liberal
views will demonstrate that in his mannerisms and attitude as such a person will have an
inclination for giving a higher priority to personal satisfaction above everything else.
If you have met a woman a couple of times only, but you have always seen her dressed
conservatively, then it is obvious that you will get the impression that she supports conservative
views. It has been rarely seen that people who dress conservatively support liberal views. This is
because the views supported by a person dominate his dressing sense to a large extent. If a
person is of the opinion that there is no problem in dressing unconventionally, then it is obvious
that this opinion will be reflected in his dressing style. For someone who is conscious about his
image as seen by others, it would be very important to dress decently and appear well groomed at
all times. On the contrary, someone who does not pay much emphasis to external appearances
will generally be seen dressed casually with an unkempt look. Hence, it is evident that a person's
beliefs can be easily determined by analyzing their dressing sense.
People like to stay in the company of others who share their views. If a person is generally seen
with people who are known to be unsociable and rowdy, then one can draw the conclusion that
this particular person shares the same thoughts and ideas as those of the group. If he had different
ideas, then he would have felt uncomfortable in this group and he would not have been in their
friend circle. A person can comfortably stay within a friend circle only if he shares common
views with his friends. Therefore, studying the friend circle of a person gives a fairly good
indication of the beliefs of the person in question.
In sum, it can be said that the political beliefs of a person are reflected by his mannerisms and his
circle of friends. These beliefs will also be reflected by the way a person chooses to dress and
interact with others. It is true that people can easily dupe others into believing that they support
views other than what they actually follow. This is evident in the case of political leaders who
succeed in projecting an image that is contrary to their actual image by manipulating their
mannerisms and dressing styles. Barring exceptions like this where people try to deliberately
camouflage their actual beliefs; it is generally true that one can determine the true beliefs of a
person within a short period of meeting him.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 196
"Instant foods, instant communication, faster transportation-all of these recent developments are
designed to save time. Ironically, though, instead of making more leisure time available, these
developments have contributed to a pace of human affairs that is more rushed and more frantic
than ever before."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 196
All modern developments like instant foods, instant communication and faster transportation
serve to save time which has been further utilized by humans for increasing their productivity.
The end result is that lives are now much more frantic and fast-paced as these technological
developments ensure that Man need not waste his time in travelling, communicating or eating.
Therefore, it is quite true that these developments have contributed to making human lives more
rushed than ever. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore the fact that the basic human nature to succeed
in one's endeavors also contributes immensely to this fast-paced life.
It is the basic nature of humans to strive for more as they are seldom satisfied by their
achievements. The urge to excel in your career makes you go all out to prove yourself despite the
lack of time. People carry their official work to their homes and they keep working at unearthly
hours with total disregard to their health or the quality time that should be ideally spent with their
families. Their inability to effectively utilize the time available will result in a scenario wherein
they have been surpassed by others in the race to succeed in life. In order to utilize maximum
time for working, people resort to saving time wherever possible.
Modern technological developments have provided us with faster means of transport which are
utilized by people to save time that would have otherwise been spent in travelling. If you have to
travel to another corner of the country on official business, it is rare that you will travel by road
unless your financial status does not permit you to fly down. However, the time thus saved is not
utilized by people for relaxing. On the other hand, they try their level best to utilize this
additional time for doing some extra work. Even if a person wants to relax in the additional time
that is now available, it is unlikely that his employers would allow him to spend this time as
leisure time.
Private companies, small businesses, government undertakings, organizations like schools and
hospitals are all under a lot of pressure to provide good results. This pressure affects the working
environment in the organization. The employees are under constant stress to display their
professionalism and their commitment towards their official responsibilities. Any laxity on their
part may lead to the termination of their employment. Therefore, all the time that has been saved
because of the technological developments is either utilized by the employers for extracting work
from the employees or the employees themselves have the inherent inclination to utilize this
additional time for putting in additional work or completing their pending work.
The availability of instant food has made people consider bringing official work to their homes
as they need not bother about spending time on cooking elaborate meals. Instant communication
has enabled people to get quick decisions and therefore, the official work proceeds at a constant
pace with no requirement of spending time waiting for the decision to reach you by post. We are
now leading a faster-paced life as compared to our ancestors. The present day generation pays
more emphasis on efficiency as that is the key for success in today's competitive world.
In conclusion, it can be said that the modern developments have indeed saved time for humans,
but it is the competitive spirit of humans that has made them utilize the time thus saved for
increasing their productivity, thereby making their lives hurried and hectic.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 197
"The past is no predictor of the future."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 197
Experiences of the past have always made us wiser with respect to various aspects of life. It is
not necessary that our past will be an exact indication of the future, but the happenings in the
past do have some bearing on the probable events that might take place in the future. Therefore,
it may not necessarily be true that the past cannot predict the future accurately, but there may be
instances when the past has helped us in determining what might happen in the future.
The future has always intrigued humans to the extent that they have often resorted to utilizing
crystal ball gazers, horoscopes, tarot-card readers, fortune-tellers etc. for foretelling what the
future holds for them. The authenticity of such predictions is always questionable, but the past
can definitely be useful for a vague estimation of what the future holds for us. Studying the past
has always been used for ascertaining success in the future. Whenever there is a requirement of
carrying out a particular action, there has been a study of the effectiveness of that action in
achieving its aim in the past. This study can be used to forecast the results of that particular
action in the future. This is because there are some occurrences that follow a certain pattern. For
instance, the meteorological departments of most countries have been able to successfully predict
the weather in the future by studying the present meteorological data coupled with the effects
that they have had in the past. Generally, these predictions have been found to be true and this
has been made possible by studying the data and the results from the past.
On the other hand, it is not always necessary that studying the past can give an estimate of what
the future holds. Take for example the future of a business enterprise, which can be predicted to
quite an extent by studying its profitability in the past. The success of a business in the past may
not be a definite indication of how it will fare in the future. Nevertheless, the past will be able to
give a rough estimate of the profits that the business can make in the future. However, the future
of the business will also depend on various factors like the success of its competitors, the
variations in the demand for the company's products, changes in technology and the adaptability
of the company to modify its products to meet the demands of the consumers. For instance, a
company well known for its photography equipment may not be able to maintain its profits if it
fails to manufacture cameras that support the latest digital imagery technology. Therefore, in
such a case, a detailed study of the success of the company in the past will not be able to predict
its losses in the future as no one will be able to foretell how the company's top management will
choose to react in a particular situation.
In conclusion, it has been seen that the past has been able to loosely predict the future in some
cases. These cases would include events and situations that have been known to recur in a
particular pattern. However, when seen in the larger perspective, a study of the past cannot
include unforeseen events that may occur in the future and affect the results that have been
predicted. Therefore, it is not necessary that the past will always be able to provide an accurate
prediction of the future.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 198
"Society's external rewards are no measure of true success. True success can be measured only in
relation to the goals one sets for oneself."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 198
Most people start planning their future from their school days. They set an aim in life and
struggle hard to achieve that aim. Such people can be considered to be successful if they are able
to even get close to the goals that they had set for themselves. Society's external rewards
probably have no bearing on either their happiness or their definition of success. Therefore,
success can be measured only on a personal level and it is further dependent on the goals that one
has set for oneself.
Society may choose to give due recognition to people who have excelled in their respective
fields, but this does not mean that people who are not appreciated by the society have not been
successful in their ventures. A new motion picture's director may have directed a film that falls in
the category of off-beat cinema. He may have experimented with addressing certain
controversial issues in his movie. Therefore, his movie may bomb at the box-office and he may
not win any popular movie awards. However, the director may consider himself successful
because he would have succeeded in conveying a message to the masses though the medium of
his movie. Additionally, it is likely that his movie earns good critical reviews and probably that
is what matters the most to the director. Moreover, the young director may be noticed and be
appointed for directing movies under certain prestigious banners and probably this was the goal
that the director had set for himself. Therefore, despite directing a film that neither earned any
awards nor raked in high profits, the director may consider himself as successful because he
succeeded in achieving the aim that he had set for himself. This aim might be quite different
from what society has deemed necessary for a director's success. Therefore, if the director is
happy and satisfied with his work and he feels that he has attained his goal, then that is success
for him.
There are thousands of scientists and researchers who have spent years in their research related
work. All of them cannot be awarded the Nobel Prize. Does this mean that all these scientists
have been unsuccessful in their endeavors? The research and development departments of a
number of business establishments succeed in developing new products based on the latest
technology. If no one outside the company knows about their contributions, does it imply that
these researchers are not successful? Success is largely attributed to personal satisfaction which
comes as a result of attaining one's goals.
There may be people who are not satisfied with whatever they have achieved. This is because
they may have set a very high goal for themselves. An area sales manager of a company may feel
that he has not succeeded in his career unless he becomes the General Manager (sales) of the
company. On the other hand, consider a person who comes from a humble background. If he
succeeds in getting a job that improves the standard of living for his family, then he is truly
successful even if the society does not term that particular job as a measure of success in one's
career. He may be quite low in the company's hierarchy, but if his aim was to bring about a
radical change in the living conditions of his family, then he would consider himself to have
attained success.
In view of the above, it can be seen that more than the standards set by society or the rewards
given by society, it is the individual goals set by people that are a measure of the success
achieved by them. Success can be measured by gauging the level from where you started and
your present position with respect to the goal that you have set for yourself. Society's rewards do
little to measure the success attained by individuals.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 199
"Facts are stubborn things. They cannot be altered by our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates
of our passions."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 199
There are certain globally accepted facts which we feel cannot be challenged. This is how our
ancestors also felt, but time has proved that certain facts could be altered to quite an extent, if not
completely. Man's wishes have propelled him to develop technology that can assist him in
modifying facts as per his wishes. However, there is no certainty that all facts can be modified in
a similar manner. On the other hand, we do not know what the future holds for us. We may be
able to develop technology that gives humans the power to modify almost every existing fact.
Therefore, in the present context, it is not necessary that none of the existing facts can be altered
as there may be certain facts that have already been altered or will probably be modified by
humans.
It is an age-old fact that people cannot fly. Our ancestors tried to imitate birds by making
artificial wings to satisfy the wish to fly free in the air. There are innumerable stories of people
who attempted to fly and jumped off cliffs with artificial wings only to meet a fateful end.
Centuries later, the fact that Man can never fly has been technologically modified in such a way
that flying like a free bird in the air has become a popular sport. People go for Para drops, hot-air
ballooning, hand gliding, bungee jumping etc. to experience the exhilarating feeling of flying
free in the air. Transportation by air is another aspect of the modification of the said fact for
making it possible for people to travel by air in large groups. Though the fact that Man cannot fly
still remains undisputed, Man has been able to refute this fact to quite an extent by utilizing
technology.
Death is inevitable and so is old age. However, take a look at the latest cosmetic tools available
that defy old age. Botox injections, face-lifts, cosmetic surgery etc. are all used by the people
who can afford them to conquer age. The fact that age will show on one's face sooner or later has
been modified by humans by developing technology that can either delay the onset of wrinkles
or can iron out the wrinkles by cosmetic surgery. There are numerous celebrities who do not look
their actual age because they can afford to undergo treatments for turning back the clock.
However, there is no permanent solution to the problem of ageing. The effects of anti-ageing
treatments are temporary and age will start showing if one is not regular with the treatments.
Therefore, the fact remains that ageing cannot be stopped, but man has been able to suitably
modify this fact to meet his desires.
The facts being discussed above may have been termed as stubborn facts by our ancestors, but
today's generation no longer finds these facts stubborn as they are living in an era when these
facts have been modified. Similarly, facts that are considered stubborn and unshakeable today
may not necessarily be treated in the same way in the future as well. There could be a giant leap
in technology and Man may come up with the knowledge to modify most existing facts to cater
to his inclinations and desires. However, there will always be certain facts such as the rules
governing the rotation and revolution of the earth, the modification of which may probably be
beyond the power of Man. In sum, it can be said that barring some stubborn facts, Man has been
able to alter most facts and will continue to do so in the future also.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 200
"It is often asserted that the purpose of education is to free the mind and the spirit. In reality,
however, formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 200
A child learns whatever is taught to him by either his parents or his teachers. The knowledge
being imparted to a child conforms to the facts and figures which have already been established.
It is seldom seen that children are given the time or the space to explore their inner selves and
free their minds. This is because the pressure of doing well in school in order to earn high grades
is so much that children often have no option but to stick to their school books. When the same
children grow up into adults and they are well settled in their careers, the formal education
imparted to them plays on their minds all the time and they are unable to think outside the realms
of formal education. Therefore, formal education that has been acquired over a period of time
succeeds in restraining our minds and spirits instead of setting them free.
The importance of learning in a formal classroom environment has assumed a great significance
in the modern world because the grades that you get in your high school or college can determine
how your future will shape up. Children do not have the freedom to learn aspects that interest
them as they are under constant pressure from their parents to get good grades in school.
Moreover, the children themselves are conscious of the performance of their peers in school and
so they try their best to keep in step with their friends who may be doing better than them. The
fear of failing to score the passing grade makes them concentrate on their studies.
Even if students are able to secure good grades in school, the story does not end there. After
completing high school, there is stiff competition for securing admissions to reputed professional
courses and only a few students are able to join a program of study of their choice. This is
because there are various standardized tests which test your competence in the field in which you
wish to carry out your higher studies. If you want to succeed in a career of your choice, then it is
essential for you to earn degrees that endorse your skills in the fields related to your career.
Once you are settled in a career of your choice, you are again limited to utilizing the information
gained from your formal education because it is this knowledge that will help you rise in the
hierarchy of your career. Therefore, it is evident that the life of an individual constantly revolves
around his formal education. A person's thinking ability is largely influenced by the formal
education that he has received and this education restrains him from thinking otherwise, unless
he does so by risking his career and a successful future. A person will have to make a substantial
effort to tear himself away from the norms of formal education if he wants to free his mind. The
rewards for doing well in your formal education are manifold and these rewards deprive people
of the motivation to set their minds free. The end result is that people do not have the incentive to
set their minds free as their minds are restrained by the formal education that has been imparted
to them.
In view of the above, it is evident that formal education assumes immense importance in the
early years of life. The pressure exerted by the importance of formal education is such that there
is little or no time left for anyone to allow their minds to be free and to think of something
outside the realms of formal education.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 201
"Technology is a necessary but not always a positive force in modern life."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 201
Technology has been a boon to mankind and it is a blessing in disguise. It has made the life of
humans simple and easy to live. The effects of technology have largely been positive on human
life. We have reached this modern era because of technology. The various technologies around
us have made this world modern. In this modern life technological innovations have become
integral to our lives Technological innovations are the most important aspect of human life and it
is impossible to even think of our life without them. Technology is the greatest creation of
humans and it has also enabled humans to create whatever they desire. I think that technology is
indispensable in our modern life and it is a great positive force in our lives.
The creativity in the field of technology has always resulted in remarkable innovations. We
would not have reached such heights of development without the help of technology.
Technology has influenced people in a positive sense. It has instigated people to create better and
better innovations. We can never think of our lives without the basic amenities which technology
has provided us with. Without such technology we would still be in the pre-historic age. We
should be thankful to technology for our metamorphosis from a cave man to the modern man of
present age. This modernism is the result of technology and it has made our life better and better
with time. It is best tool that the humans have ever invented for self help. The technological
inventions from a mixer grinder to the aircrafts have revolutionized the human life. Technology
has aided the humans with the power to create anything and this is a process which is still going
on with the hope of creating something new and better.
Although the positive influence of technology on our lives is credible but at the same time
various drawbacks of technology can not be neglected. This tool of technology has proved to be
a disaster in the hands of scientists who made inventions which were not in favor of mankind.
One such invention is cloning and if it is ever used on humans then it could be disastrous. With
the help of technology we should not play with nature. Certain things should remain as they are
and humans should not tamper with them. Another deadly innovation that resulted from
technology is nuclear bombs and weapons which are again against mankind. Such inventions can
destroy the very existence of man himself. What is the use of such technology which would
prove to be fatal for a human himself? That means ultimately the development in the
technological front is not making us modern instead we are creating and inventing technology
which would erase the very existence of mankind.
Therefore, technology is beneficial to mankind till the time it is not misused. The negative
aspects of technology can certainly not be overlooked but it is on us to decide how to make the
best possible use of technology.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 202
"How children are socialized today determines the destiny of society. Unfortunately, we have not
yet learned how to raise children who can help bring about a better society."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 202
Children are the future of a country or instead we can say that a country's future is dependent
upon the upbringing of its children. The company a child keeps is of utmost importance for the
development of the child. If a child is socializing in good company which helps him to think in a
positive way and also helps him to become a responsible citizen of a country, then it would not
only be in the interest of that child but for the whole nation. I believe that if a child is nurtured in
an atmosphere which would help him to develop better then we would certainly be securing the
future of our country. It entirely depends upon the teachers who impart education and parents
who imbibe good values in a child to make the child a responsible and a good citizen. I believe
that the present generation parents and teachers are unable to provide a congenial atmosphere at
home and at school which would bring out the best in a child.
A child is like clay and his personality would take any shape in which it is molded It is the prime
responsibility of the elders to lead the child on the right path. The main emphasis of teachers in a
school is to get better results for the school and make children learn the syllabus as fast as they
can. There is no emphasis on teaching the child good values and the importance of becoming
good human beings. Similarly, on the home front the parents are not that devoted to make the
child aware of the importance of becoming a good human being. Children are the mirror of the
society; they will become what we want them to become. If we are forgetting the value of being
a good citizen and creating a good society then how can we prepare our children to be
responsible citizens of the nation?
It is the prime responsibility on our part to provide children with the atmosphere which is free
from any gender bias so they grow up with the feeling that males and females are at par with
each other. The children should be brought up in an environment which is free from any sort of
racism so that no one community children think themselves to be stronger than the other.
Children should be taught the feelings of brotherhood and nationalism as then they would learn
to be responsible citizens of a nation. Parents and teachers should take due interest in making a
child not only a good student but first and foremost a better citizen. The effort on the part of
government can also prove to be quite helpful. The role of government to aid schools and help
patents in bringing up a child can also quite helpful for the nation.
Children are certainly the future of any nation and therefore it becomes the responsibility of not
only the parents but also the nation to prepare their younger generation for a bright future of the
country.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 203
"The arts (painting, music, literature, etc.) reveal the otherwise hidden ideas and impulses of a
society."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 203
An art is a mirror of a nation and it depicts the values and beliefs of a nation. It would not be
wrong to say that different forms of arts from different nations are identity of that nation. Art
forms of a nation are not different from it; rather they form an integral part of a nation. An art
makes a person more creative and arts it very thought provoking. Artists are able to express their
hidden view points through their medium of art. There are numerous art forms through which the
inner soul of a person is unleashed. What a person can not otherwise express he can through the
medium of his art. The various art forms show the hidden talents of people. I believe that arts
reveal the otherwise hidden ideas and impulses of a society.
A singer can describe his feeling of sorrow or joy through his songs which otherwise becomes
difficult for a person to express. Music makes the singer express his inner feelings through his
songs. Even a painter, in his paintings, can reach any where he wants to. He can create even what
does not exist in this world. The thoughts and expressions of a painter know no bounds and he
can create a world of his own. Even in the pre-historic ages man used this medium to describe
his feelings. The famous pyramids of Egypt have inscriptions and paintings of pre-historic era.
The various art forms include the otherwise hidden messages also that need to be conveyed to the
society. At times we might feel that arts depicts the over evaluated picture of the society but it is
the artist's view and method of expressing his inner feelings. The society itself has great
influence on the society or artist as the traces of inspiration can be seen in the works of artists.
We are living in a social structure which is very complicated and arts have played their due role
in making it simpler and understandable. It is very difficult to imagine a society without arts.
Arts have always helped people to rejuvenate their inner strengths and energies.
Although generally artists portray society only but it is not always necessary. Artists are
individuals and they have creativity of their own; they are not bound by anything. At times they
may create certain things which are contrary to the society. It is very much possible that artists
convey the message they want to convey to the society and what society expects from them.
An art is not the only medium where human energies and desires are unleashed but in the present
world they are numerous sources of recreation which unwind the inner feelings of humans. The
various forms of arts have always helped us to understand and express the society better but arts
are certainly not the only medium. Arts have an indispensable part of out society but it not the
only way a person can express its hidden feeling and emotions.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 204
"The university community consists of three different worlds-the sciences, the humanities, and
the social sciences. Because each world operates on its own assumptions and has its own special
habits of thinking, rarely is there meaningful interaction among the sciences, the humanities, and
the social sciences."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 204
Human life is an ongoing process of learning. We humans keep learning through out our lives.
We learn at home, in school, in colleges and even in universities. What ever knowledge is
imparted to us in all fields of our life proves to be beneficial for us. We are taught different
mandatory subjects in school and when a child finishes matriculation he is free to choose any
subject of his choice for further studies. It certainly does not mean that the other subjects are less
important. Where science deals with research in scientific theories and hypothesis, humanities
includes general knowledge and intellectual skills and social sciences includes studies of society
and the relationship of an individual with the society. I believe all are integral parts of each other
and not different from each other.
All subjects are related to each other or rather it can be said that one starts where another
finishes. All these subjects are created to meet the specific intellectual demands of humans then
how can they be different from each other? Science includes studying about living things and
natural phenomenon and these are certainly connected with humanities and social sciences. In
the same way general knowledge and intellectual skill in humanities include science. Similarly,
even social sciences have science in it as it is dealing with an individual and its relation with the
society. We can not separate all these subjects from one another as if they were entirely different
then a person studying science and a person studying humanities would not have anything in
common. A surgeon has to be a good artist to perform an operation as he needs to be good with
his tools. Similarly, an archeologist needs to know certain scientific principles for his study of
pre-historic people. This clearly shows inter-dependence of various fields on each other. All
these subjects were created by man and after accruing such vast knowledge it was segregated
into further divisions but they are all inter-related.
Although these three disciplines are inter-related to each other but still they have the
individuality of their own. These three subjects can be viewed separately and they have the
identity of their own. One subject in itself is a whole study of one field but it does depend on the
other subject. If science deals with a different field of knowledge humanities and social sciences
deal with different fields of knowledge too.
Despite the fact that each field has its distinctive features but these subjects are the division of
knowledge acquired by man himself as they were further classified into science, humanities and
social sciences. They are the different pieces of, same puzzle and without one another they are
incomplete. Although all these subjects might seem different from one another but still they are
very much connected to each other.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 205
"The problems of modern society have led many people to complain: 'We live in terrible times.'
Yet, given the choice, no one today would prefer to live in any other time."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 205
We all want to live happily and contentedly in our lives. The role of a society in making our lives
comfortable can not be denied. Although we are those who comprise this social structure but we
only often complain about the problems in the structure of the society. It is seldom that we are
contended with what we have got in life. When this human race stared to make progress that time
also some humans must not be contended in the way progress was made. In recent times also
some people are unhappy with the way society is progressing but they would still not like to
disassociate themselves from it. I believe that in spite of having numerous problems in the
society and people constantly complaining about it, they would still not like to stay in any other
time. This modern society has made our lives comfortable and simple because of all the
advanced technologies in the recent times.
The modern society has made this world a place worth living. We have developed in many
aspects compared to the past. Our education system has developed very fast. We have made
many developments not only in the scientific front but also in the social front. Man has reached
moon and there is no place in this world where one can not reach. People around the world have
started communicating and the society of one country has traces of different societies of the
country in it. This modern society has made different platforms where people from across the
world can come and interact. This certainly was not possible in the olden times. The recent
invention of mobile phones has also revolutionized communication industry and people can talk
more often. The contribution of modern society is remarkable in making the present world
worthwhile.
Although the modern society has transformed our old society tremendously but still there are
certain flaws in this modern society which people generally complain about. This modern society
has made the younger generation forget its old values and beliefs which worked as trademark for
a society. The younger generation which is the future of the country is not nurtured upon values
and beliefs which were the foundation of our social structure. The increasing crime rate is also
another drawback of this present society. It would not be wrong to say that this modern society is
the society which is very different from our older generation society and it certainly lacks soul
which was the base of the old society.
Society is the mirror in which anyone can see the present and future of the nation. There is no
doubt that the modern society has certain flaws in it but this is the price that we have to pay for
being modern. Everything has its pros and cons and if the older society had values then it did not
have technology and development in various fields. It is on us how we make best use of our
modern society but without getting negativity affected by it.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 206
"Students should be encouraged to realize that mental agility and rhetorical skill must be
accompanied by sincerity and the true conviction of their own beliefs."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 206
The life of a student is a constant journey of learning. It becomes the prime responsibility of the
teacher to educate students not only about the school curriculum but also to be sincere and true in
whatever they do. Every student has different skills and if he is led to the right direction then he
can achieve his goals with his conviction and beliefs. It becomes the responsibility not only of
the parents but also of the teachers to make the convictions and beliefs of the student go on the
correct path. I agree that the great mental and creative ability of a child should be encouraged
and it should include his sincerity and true conviction of his own beliefs.
Educational institutes can help a student enhance his mental and communicative skills but how a
child uses them is up the child. It is very important how a student portrays his ideas as it is very
important not only for his educational front but for his emotional front too. A child with good
mental ability and communicative skills can not only make a place for himself in the society but
he would be able to do academically well also. A child who is expressive can easily put across
his points not only verbally but in writing also. If a child with good mental ability and
communicative skills lacks conviction and beliefs then his abilities to express himself lack soul.
It is very important that a student has high morals otherwise his creative abilities can lead to
wrong directions and this would result in dire consequences. The people who had great thinking
power and made remarkable achievements but lacked moral values were never appreciated by
the society. The lack of morality in any achievement is like a body without soul.
It is important that the students should not only be encouraged to practice their mental and
rhetorical skills but to exercise their own true convictions and beliefs. The point that arises here
is that every child has his own convictions and beliefs depending upon the social background
from which the child comes. It is very important that his society does not hold any racist or
fanatic beliefs. If the beliefs of a child are free from such social pressures then only would it be
in the interest of the child as well as of the society to exercise such beliefs. It would be
detrimental for the interest of the society if the students are not guided in the right direction.
Students should be allowed to exercise their beliefs and convictions but they should not bias to a
particular religion or society.
Therefore, it is very important that the convictions and beliefs of the students are integrated not
to be misused. It is also possible that creative and mental skills can be isolated from convictions
and beliefs but if they are together then it is very important that they lead on the right way.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 207
"While most of the environmental problems we face result from the use of technology, society
must depend upon technology to find solutions to these problems."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 207
Technology has proved to be a boon for mankind. It is technology which has helped us develop
in all fronts of life. Without technological developments we would still be living in pre-historic
age. It is the various technological innovations which have made this world progress so much
that nothing today seems to be impossible. Technology has made those things feasible which
once we never even thought of. We certainly have to pay a price for every comfort we get and
nothing comes free of cost. The various environmental problems which have resulted from
various technological innovations are the price we are paying to nature for our comfort. I agree
that if technology is causing all these environmental problems then technology alone should
bring out various measures to solve this problem.
Technology is progressing faster and faster. One nation wants to outshine the other nation by
creating something better and superior and in this rat race of competition our environment is
suffering a lot. There is a lot of chemical waste from the industries and it is polluting the air and
the water bodies. The pollution on roads because of numerous vehicles is increasing day by day.
There is large number of industries coming up which would add up to the pollution level. We
have become very advanced and technology has helped humans to progress in all fields of life
but now endeavor should be made to protect the environment. There should be such innovations
which create no hazards for our environment and if we are harming the environment we are
eventually harming ourselves. The effect of pollution on environment has resulted in global
warming and this would harm humans in the long run. The efforts in technology should now be
instigated to help the environment. Various technological measures should be taken to ensure
safety of the environment. Such fuels should be used which cause less pollution and alternate
options should be adopted in technology which are either not at all harmful or less harmful for
nature.
Although these environmental problems are caused due to technology but we should not forget
that these innovations in the technological front were made to aid humans in different fields of
life. Therefore, it is not only the responsibility of technology to solve the environment related
problems but of humans also who the cause behind all such problems is. We can help the
environment by putting restrictions on our technological use, that certainly does not mean
abstaining from it but putting a limit would certainly help. Another cause is the increasing
population which again can be solved by humans.
Therefore, neither technology nor society alone can solve this problem but the combined efforts
from both would certainly yield fruitful results. Technology is there to help the society to
become more developed and not harm it and if the measures are adopted to save the environment
then it would eventually be in the interest of the society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 208
"The absence of choice is a circumstance that is very, very rare."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 208
Freedom of any kind is a birth right of an individual and nobody can be denied of this right. The
right of choice is one of our fundamental rights which an individual can not be deprived of. A
human is free to make choice amongst the options available to him but I believe that in almost all
places there is a code of conduct which needs to be followed to maintain unity. I do not agree
that an absence of choice is a rare circumstance but I think the ability to exercise an individual
preference is a rare circumstance.
We all live in a society which demands us to follow a certain set of rules and regulation.
Although such rules might be against the free will of some person but to maintain unity in the
social structure it is necessary that all those who comprise the social structure abide by the rules.
If we do not follow such rules and regulations and every person behaves and acts according to
his own choice then this social system would become very chaotic. There would be no law and
order and thus there would be no safety. A child who goes to school has to follow not only the
rules and regulations of that school but also the discipline which is followed at his home.
Similarly, an employee working in the office has to follow the code of conduct of his workplace
and he is not free to do what he wants. The restrictions on ones free will most of the times kill
the creativity of the person but it is necessary to maintain the uniformity of the workplace. It is
not only the educational and professional institutes that demand rules and regulations to be
followed but our social structure also demands so. A human being is a social animal and we
humans have created this social structure and rules and regulations for our society so that it
becomes a safe place for survival. A person living in the society has to merge in it as any person
who behaves as per his own will and choice is never accepted in the society. Our law also does
not give us freedom of choice in the context that when two persons have committed the same
crime they would be getting the same punishment and no choice is granted to them.
Although it is very important for law and order that we follow rules and regulation but it is also
important that a person can exercise his right of choice. An individual is free to speak, do and
write whatever he pleases but without harming the rights of others. A child going to school has
various rights of choice as which school he wants to go to and what further field of education he
wants to pursue.
Therefore, it is important for all individuals to follow their right of choice but taking into
consideration the interest of other individuals.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 209
"What we call progress is a matter of exchanging one problem for another."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 209
Since the time human race came into existence the process of progress is an ongoing
phenomenon. Progress never ceases as it shows the change in man's thinking and creative
abilities. If progress stops then this human race would certainly become static. It is very
beautifully put in words by Oscar Wilde, "Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or
a nation." This line very aptly describes the importance of progress in our lives. Wilde believes
that if ever a man or a nation is contended with its progress then further progress ceases and it is
the end of progress. Therefore, when we are discontented in our endeavors then only will we be
able to make progress in all fields of life. I believe that progress is an indication of stronger,
skilled, confident and a successful man which would be capable of making a successful nation. I
do not see progress as an obstacle but a measure of solving all the problems.
In today's time man is making progress in all fields of life. Progress in various fields is solving
numerable problems. The constant process of progress opens new doors of success for man. If
we cease to make progress then instead of going forward we would go backward because when
something is not increasing then it is certainly decreasing. Progress in various fields has helped
us to tackle many problems. The various progresses in the technological front have helped
humans solve many problems. With the progress in the various means of transport we can reach
any place in lesser time. The various progresses in the field of science have helped to solve many
health related issues and cure of many diseases have also been found. There is tremendous
amount of progress in our educational structure. We are able to reach more children and hence
are able to educate them and make them responsible citizens of our nation.
The progress in various fields has been tremendous and its impact on the lives of everyone is
positive. Although it is because of progress that several problems in our lives have got solved but
it is also true that all those problems are the result of progress only. A cave man was so very
simple and his life was easy and this progress has made a man so worked up that he has forgotten
the true essence of life. The process of progress is not always positive it has gone negative too. A
man these days has everything but time for himself. Negative progress has resulted in nuclear
weapons which can harm the existence of man.
Therefore, we must make progress in all fields but what problems progress has caused can not be
denied. Our endeavors should be integrated to solve these problems. Although progress in certain
fields can be deadly for humans but it is in our hands to integrate progress to aid us against such
problems.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 210
"Only through mistakes can there be discovery or progress."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 210
Practice makes a man perfect and when one practices the chances of making mistakes also rises.
Perfection is the result of constant practice and overcoming ones mistakes. I agree that a man is
bound to make mistakes and only when mistakes are there one master in that field and discovery
or progress is made. Therefore, mistakes are reflection of true endeavors and it certifies genuine
efforts. The people who fall in the battle field are the true fighters compared to those who do not
have the courage to fight a battle. It does not matter that you made mistakes but what matters is
that you conquered your mistakes and came out victorious.
Failure in the true sense is the beginning of a new chapter, a new direction which would show
the path of success. Failures have different meanings for different people. For one it can be the
end of one path and the opening of another path on the other hand it can be the base for success
for another. It is up to a person how his mistakes are viewed. A man learns from his own
mistakes and not from others' mistakes. A child trying to climb a ladder would never agree to an
adult's advice but when he would fall he would learn how to master the skill. Mistakes improve a
man's skills. This theory of making mistakes and mastering them is very apt in the field of
science. Scientists keep making mistakes and thus creating new inventions and discoveries. In all
electronic fields better and better technology is coming up. It is possible because man is able to
recognize his mistakes and ensure that they are not repeated in his further discoveries. Titanic
was a gigantic ship made by man and it was believed that it would never sink but on its maiden
voyage Titanic sank but that did not dishearten the engineers instead it helped them make better
ships than Titanic. All scientific progress has started from failures and then the final outcome has
always been fruitful and rewarding.
Although failures and mistakes have resulted in remarkable discoveries and inventions but this
certainly does not give man an edge to make mistakes as at times mistakes yield no results but
drastic outcome and monetary loss. There is a huge amount of money involved in doing research
work and if the efforts are not deliberate then the chances of mistakes increase resulting in huge
amount of monetary loss. It is certainly not necessary that discoveries and progress can only be
made if there are mistakes but making too many mistakes can affect the productivity of a man. A
few discoveries like the discovery of America by Columbus were made without any mistake.
Therefore, failures can result in remarkable discoveries and progress but that certainly does not
guarantee that mistakes can be made without any consideration. At times mistakes and failure
yield no result.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 211
"Every new generation needs to redefine 'right' and 'wrong' in its own terms and according to the
conditions of its own time."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 211
Since the advent of human race there has been an ongoing conflict between the ideologies and
convictions of younger generations and older generations. Older generations think that they can
impart their experience and knowledge that has been acquired over the years to the younger
generations. The younger generation on the other hand has its own way of doing and perceiving
things. This conflict between the generations has been a never ending phenomenon and I believe
that it will always be there from generations to generations as human perception is the same.
Nobody understands or learns from the experiences of another person but everyone yearns to
know everything themselves in life. I agree that the new generation has all the right to redefine in
its own terms and conditions in regard to what is correct and incorrect but at the same time one
should not forget or diverge from ones inherent values and beliefs.
This mystery of generation gap is inevitable and no generation has been able to solve this
mystery. There has been constant development since the advent of human race. With the
technological innovations around every new generation is bound to have new thinking. What was
the luxury of the yesteryears, has now become the necessity of the present age. What could not
be thought of earlier has been made a reality today. Therefore, it is very natural to have different
ways of perceiving every situation and problem. There have been numerous beliefs, dogmas and
values of the older generations which have been replaced by new generations. It was not to
disrespect the old values but to make way for the new ones. According to an old Indian tradition
all married ladies were supposed to keep their face veiled but this practice is now not seen in
many villages also. The reason for this was a very particle one. It was impossible for a lady to
perform her daily household chores with a covered face and it resulted in many fatal accidents
also. So in order to save the ladies from becoming further victims to mishaps this practice was
abolished. Again in the older times kings and emperors use to fight massive battles over trivial
issues. There used to be loss of hundreds of human lives but then kings and kingdoms were
banned. It was for the benefit of the society that such practices were abolished. Therefore, it is
important for us to accept new ideas and beliefs.
Although it is important to open doors for new generation but at the same time we should not
shun old values and beliefs completely. Old values are the foundations of our humanity, if they
are completely forgotten then we would never come to know about our cultures and traditions.
Therefore, it is important to accept new values and beliefs but at the same time we must respect
our old values too. Just the way a tree can not survive without its roots, the tree of our new
generation can not survive without the roots of the old generations.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 212
"What society has thought to be its greatest social, political, and individual achievements have
often resulted in the greatest discontent."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 212
An achievement in any field is not possible without the support from society. Society has always
acted as a driving force for people to make achievements in various fields. Society has always
been benefited from the achievements in any front be it social, political, and individual
achievements. It is true that some times some achievements have had fatal results but we can
certainly not say that they have often resulted in discontent in society. The discontent can not be
entirely blamed on achievements as it entirely depends of humans how they perceive an
achievement. Therefore, we can not solely blame achievements for discontentment in the society
rather those humans are to be blamed who misuse any achievement.
Every aspect in life can be viewed as correct or incorrect. What might be correct for one person
can be incorrect for another. There is nothing wrong in this change in perception as we all
humans have a tendency to think differently. There is nothing wrong if humans think differently
but perception if led to a wrong direction can certainly prove to be fatal. We all use knife for
cutting vegetables but the same knife is used by a killer to stab people. It is not the invention or
the inventor of the knife who is wrong but the person who misuses such a remarkable invention.
Similarly, when man could make use of nuclear energy it revolutionized the whole scientific
world. There were people who misused this greatest invention to create nuclear bombs and
weapons. It is certainly not the achievement in the field of science where nuclear energy was
developed but the misuse of that energy that brought discontent in the society. Therefore, it is not
any achievement that has made the society discontented but the use of that achievement in a
wrong way.
Although some achievements might have caused discontentment in the society but there are
numerous achievements which have helped society in all the possible ways. One such
achievement was in the field of education. All the achievements in this field have made people
stand on their feet. It is only through education that different cultures of the world are interacting
with each other. Education has made each one of us true human beings as without it we were as
good as animals. Achievements in the field of medical science have also helped the society. Our
medical science has developed so much that nothing seems to be impossible. We are able to cure
the deadliest of diseases. The various medications and operation procedures have helped in
increasing the life expectancy of a man.
Therefore, it would not be correct to say that all achievements cause discontentment to the
society. All the achievements in various fields are made to help the society but if these
achievements are misused then certainly they provide discontentment to the society. It depends
on us how we make the best possible use of all the achievements.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 213
"Most people recognize the benefits of individuality, but the fact is that personal economic
success requires conformity."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 213
We all are born with individual traits and qualities. If we integrate these qualities in the correct
direction then there is no denying that we would be able to achieve great heights in life. We all
like to go as per the standard norms of the society in all walks of life as it is always a safer way
to do things but those who have the courage to be different and unique are always appreciated in
life. If we all would have been the same then these developments in various fields would not
have been possible. It is our individuality that has made the world progressive and developed in
whatever we do. It is also true to an extent that conformity provides an edge of experience to a
person but individuality lays the basis for something totally new and different. Therefore, I
believe that individuality not only provides a person with economic success but fame and
recognition also.
Every individual wants to earn his bread and butter but those who simply do not want to go as
per old ways of earning try new ways of doing things. There is a great amount of uncertainty
when a person wants to go and do something different from the rest but if he would not dare to
take the risk then he would never be able to do what he wants to do. On the contrary, conformity
yields almost the same results but those who want to prove that they are better than the rest have
to follow the path of individuality. In this world all those who are working with conformity have
made their life stagnant. Individuality helps a person to use his creative skills. It is true that in
certain fields like law and order and defense forces of a country we need conformity. People in
these fields in the same designation are all earning the same amount of money and one knows
what amount of money one will get when one reaches some position. Therefore, there is no
scope for doing anything different and earning more but at the same time getting a certain
amount of pay is guaranteed. In such organizations creativity of a person is not utilized as in
these organizations soldiers are bound to abide by the code of conduct. There have been
individuals who preferred to be different than the rest and they not only earned money but also
fame. One such man is a software engineer Bill Gates whose computer company made him one
of the richest men of the world. He believed in doing something different from the rest and
achieved remarkable success.
Therefore, although conformity has an edge of experience over individuality but if a person
would not dare to be different then development would not be possible. Individuality makes a
person stand out from the rest and he can make others follow him. Both conformity and
individuality are important in life but it is important to practice each where it is needed and
where it is not.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 214
"The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 214
We all live in a society where the authority to run the society is given to some capable hands. It
is impossible for all of us to have the authority that is why some representatives chosen by us are
given authority to run the social system for us. These people help us to create a better
environment for our living. We as citizens have all the rights to question their authority. If we
think that certain things are not happening as they should be happening we can question the
authority. Although it is the prime responsibility of the people who are given the responsibility to
provide us with all the comforts but if we question their authority then these people become more
prompt and it certainly enhances the well-being of the society. If we are denied the right to
question then this social system would be like monarchy where nobody can question the
authority. Therefore, I believe that if we keep exercising our right of questioning the authority it
would make the authorities provide us with better facilities.
If a person is not answerable to anybody then in spite of his sincerity he might be negligent in
performing his duties. On the contrary if a person is aware of the fact that he is answerable to the
public for what ever he does for the society, he would make sure that everything is done
properly. Authority and responsibility are the different sides of the same coin. They appear to be
different but they are integral parts of each other. Therefore, a person who is given authority has
to take the responsibility. It was in the past when there was authoritarian rule like the one of
Adolph Hitler but soon people realized the importance of being free and slowly all such practices
came to an end. In the present day scenario people are more educated and thus more aware of
their rights and they want to question if they are deprived of their rights. The right to question
has brought revolution and people have become stronger. Now nobody can make a fool out of
them as they know what their rights are.
Although it is the responsibility of the authorities to be answerable to the public but that certainly
does not mean that public interferes in all the matters. There are some matters where public
interference can not be allowed. There are some decisions that are taken in emergency which are
for the betterment of the society and under such circumstances authorities are not answerable to
public. If there is too much interference from the society then there can also be delay in
important decision making. Such decisions which need immediate attention will take long if
there is public intervention.
Therefore, public should question the authorities but public should not prove to be a hindrance in
decision making by the authorities. Public should participate but not become an obstacle for the
government.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 215
"Artists should pay little attention to their critics.* Criticism tends to undermine and constrain
the artist's creativity."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 215
Any form of arts like painting, music, dance and others are the reflection of the culture of any
nation. The various forms of arts have been in existence since time immemorial. Artists are able
to put across their view through their medium of art. The work of these artists enhances if they
are guided by their critics. I believe that criticism of any sort is very progressive as it enables an
artist to create something better and unique. If there is no evaluation of an artist's work then an
artist would never be able to estimate the worth of his work. Therefore, I believe that criticism is
way of improvement and not hindrance. It certainly does not undermine or constrain the artist's
creativity but it encourages an artist to overcome his flaws and give a better output.
Imagine a world of writing where there is no eraser. It means that even if we commit any mistake
we have to either be with it or strike it. Which means that either what we would have written is
wrong or not beautiful. The same applies in the field of arts and the critics are like erasers. If
critics would not erase our faults then either we would cerate something incorrect or something
with flaws. Therefore, it is very important for an artist's progress that he be scrutinized by a
critic. We generally view criticism as negative but it is not always like that. It not only instigates
an artist to create with perfection but with utmost deliberation. If a dancer performs her dance
which has flaws, she would be disgracing not only her dance form but also herself. It is very
important to do or perform an art form with perfection as then only are artists called artists.
Criticism provides artists with different perspective as an artist's work is generally integrated in
the same direction if his view points are integrated in some other direction then his creativity
would become vast.
Although criticism helps artists to create better but at times it can hinder the creativity of an artist
and this happens with negative criticism. If the criticism is too harsh then the artist can not create
with a free mind which enhances his creative abilities but he would create with fear of criticism
which would fail to bring out the true artist in him. Negative criticism can not only shatter the
confidence of an artist but also harm his creativity. Artists are like free birds and just the way
birds can not or should not be caged the creativity of an artist can not be leashed.
Therefore, criticism is important for an artist but too much of it would be fatal for an artist's
creativity. Negative criticism should not be considered by the artists and they should just
overlook it. Artists should absorb the positive aspects of criticism and forget the negatives ones.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 216
"It is the artist, not the critic,* who gives society something of lasting value."
(*a person who evaluates works of art, such as novels, films, music, paintings, etc.)
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 216
An artist is the creator of an artistic work, which is not the forte of everyone. Any work of art,
like novels, films, music, paintings etc. are of great value to the society that appreciates it.
However, there are critics as well who evaluate these works of art in detail and expose all aspects
of the art. As far as the statement goes, I only agree partially with it, since I believe that it is
both, the artist as well as the critic whose work is valuable. If the artistic creation goes down in
history for its uniqueness, so does the work done by a critic. Both create an impression of the
society that is lasting as well as valuable.
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. The work of the artist can have a universal appeal
amongst the society. It is the people who form their individual opinion about a work of art
according to the way it pleases them. It may or may not be liked by the critics, for it is likely that
they hold different opinions about the same work of art. However, it cannot be disregarded as a
useless effort. The artist, as mentioned earlier by me, has a unique forte. It is not in the capacity
of everyone to produce a work of art as is done by a painter or a novelist. Nonetheless, it is not in
the capacity of everyone to understand the depth in a work of art, which is only explained by a
critic.
I believe that the very fact that a critic analyses a given work of art of an artist proves the
greatness of the artist. Since it attracts the fancy of a critic, the work of art must be noteworthy
and outstanding in itself. Moreover, it has been seen many a times that the work of art finds its
true appreciation only after years of analysis by critics. While the contemporary critics might
disregard the work done by an artist, it might find its true appreciation over a period of time
when people start understanding art in a broader perspective. This can be seen in the case of the
famous metaphysical poet John Donne whose work was targeted by most critics of his time and
it was only later that it was truly appreciated.
However, like the other side of the coin, I also regard the work of a critic of equal value. A
common man does not have the knowledge enough to understand the intricacies of a given work
of art. It is the cautious and in-dept analysis done by a critic that helps in unveiling a work of art.
For example, the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vince called Mona Lisa might seem to be just
another work of art to a normal man. However, it is the critics who bring out the irony in the
expression presented by the artist in his painting. Similarly, there are many critics who have done
exceptional work in their field, which is remembered more than the actual work of art. It is
therefore not only a matter of appreciating what pleases the eyes but also a matter of
understanding the work of art for its nature, which leaves an impression on the mind.
In the end, I would like to sum up by saying that I take the works done by an artist and a critic to
be of great value. In my view, an artist's work is supreme for its unique depiction of talent, and
the work done by a critic is valuable for its meaningful analysis. We cannot place one above the
other in such a way that it overshadows the lasting impression that the other puts on the society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 217
"A crucial test of character is whether one is able to adapt to changing social conventions
without sacrificing one's principles."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 217
The character of a person is defined by his principles and moral values. It is these principles that
form the basis of every work that a person undertakes, and thus eventually become the guiding
principles of his life. However, many times the changing social conventions come in the way of
these principles, and a person needs to make a choice. While accepting new changes is a way of
remaining up-to-date, it becomes all the more difficult when these social conventions stand in
sharp contrast to the principles. I agree that to a certain extent, a person should not forego his
principles for social conventions since they define his character; I also am of the view that people
should be open to change. Hence, there is no harm in accepting the positive changes and letting
go the old conventions and principles that only harm and do not hold good in today's society.
In the world where culture and values keep changing very soon, it is the principles that a person
holds that signify his strength of character. While sometimes it is temptation that makes a person
forego his principles, this is also done in order to adjust to the changing world. Whatever the
reason, only a strong person can put his principles ahead of his temptations of social
requirements. For example, as children grow up and see the world with their own eyes, they are
exposed to many evils like smoking, drinking and drugs. At this young age, it is easy to fall prey
to these evils, which are only a representation of the changing social values and conventions. It is
considered fashionable to smoke and drink. However, if the person is able to hold on to his
principles and abstain from these evils, he is able to clear the most difficult test of
character.Similarly, our principles tell us to be polite and respectful to all. However, in this
disoriented world, there is an increasing trend of being selfish and self-concerned. In such times,
it is easy to get affected by peers and by the western culture, which shows little respect to elders,
and also demonstrates rude behavior. However, it is only when a person remains unaffected and
continues to be concerned as well as polite to elders and youngsters equally that he can be called
a man of principles.
However, I also believe that one should have the wisdom of accepting change in the society and
change his behavior accordingly when it is appropriate. For this a person must have the
capability to read between the lines and see the depth and significance behind the principles that
he follows. There is no point in holding on to age-old values that have no meaning today. For
example, a family should adjust to the changing social conventions and allow the ladies of the
family to work and progress. This could be against the principles of many people who still
consider socializing and education of women taboo. Clearly, in today's world there is no wisdom
in such thinking. On the other hand, people must be flexible to adopt
certain changes which are good for them as well as the society.
In the end I would like to sum up by saying that I agree that a person is known by his character
and the principles that he holds. The true test of a person is only seen in such times when he is
standing on crossroads and he chooses to follow his principles over social conventions.
However, with the changing requirements of the times, we must not be rigid to follow age-old
principles and must logically give up on them to adjust to the present.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 218
"People who are the most deeply committed to an idea or policy are the most critical of it."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 218
Good criticism requires thorough and deep knowledge of the subject. Most of the ideas and
policies have a flip side to them, which invites criticism of the policy. People who are deeply
committed to a cause or a policy are the ones who are aware of this flip side and therefore they
not only become the advocates of the policy but also critics of this flip side. However, I also
believe that this is not the case with all ideas and policies. There have been examples where an
idea is supported fully by some people without being critical of it.
First let us discuss the writer's stand that it is those committed to a cause who are most critical of
it. As I have mentioned earlier, genuine criticism is possible only with thorough knowledge of
the subject. When a person is committed to a cause, he becomes basic to its functioning and
policies. This not only makes him understand the cause that he supports but also exposes the
disadvantages and harms of the policy as well. For example, a doctor who administers drugs to
his patients to save their lives and make them healthy also knows the ill effects of their misuse by
a healthy person. The doctors become the first persons to criticize the use of certain drugs by
healthy people. Similarly, nuclear explosions have helped countries to gain power and
technology, however, these countries have also showed their concern towards the misuse of this
power. These countries are strong critics of destructive use of the nuclear power.
However, I maintain that every policy does not have a harmful side to it. For example, the
supports of humanitarian efforts only devote themselves to social service and humanitarian work.
They would not find anything wrong with helping the poor or needy. As we can see, Gandhi was
a supporter of nonviolence and Mother Teresa stood for the cause of the destitute. They
supported their cause with their heart and soul, without being critical of it.
Even if there is a critical way of looking at an idea or policy, it need not be criticized by its
supporters. Take for example a company building hotels and malls in otherwise scenic and
serene surroundings. An engineer who is involved in construction of buildings need not be
critical of the construction of these buildings. He only devotes his sincere efforts to his work
without thinking about the result of constructing the multistory buildings and its implications.
Another example of this is that of anti-social elements like terrorists and revolutionaries. These
people are also fully committed to their ideas. Their efforts are solely derived towards attaining
their goal. This may involve causing damage to property, harming people, or even taking lives.
This surely brings out that they are not critical of their activities. It comes as a sharp contrast to
the stand taken by the writer according to which people committed to a cause are most critical of
it.
In the end I would like to sum up by saying that I agree only partially with the writer. Without
refuting his views that the supporters of an idea are the ones most critical of it, I would like to
add that this can't be accepted as a general truth. While the writer can be true in many cases,
there are exceptions where those who are committed to a cause only devote themselves to it
completely, without being critical of it.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 219
"Tradition and modernization are incompatible. One must choose between them."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 219
The given issue that tradition and modernization are not compatible is an extreme view taken by
the writer. He is of the opinion that tradition and modernization oppose each other and it is not
possible to adopt both at the same time. This leaves us to choose one of them, as we cannot be
modern as well as traditional at the same time. However, I do not agree with this view and I
believe that it is possible to strike a balance between these two. A person can have a modern
outlook as well as follow traditional principles according to his choice. They need not come in
the way of the other; on the other hand, with logical thinking, tradition and modernization can be
adopted in a way in which they complement each other.
There has been a sea change from the olden times to the present. Where people used a hand fan
earlier, they use electric fans and air conditioners today. Where they used to travel on foot, they
have started commuting through motorcars. With the progress in technology and scientific knowhow, there have been many innovations that have not only changed the way people live but also
the way people think. Therefore, modernization stands to affect not only our standard of life by
making it more comfortable, but also changes the way things are perceived. However, the point
is, whether it is possible to retain the traditional values and principles along with having a
modern outlook and standard. According to me, it is. It is possible to be progressive as well as
remain simple at the same time. For example, a person can be modern in believing in science and
technology, but this does not mean that he must lose faith in religion or God. He can follow his
rituals and traditions along with using all the technological comforts that modernization offers.
In today's world, there is the western American society, which adopts modernization in its fullest
form, as well as the traditional society of the Arab countries, which restrict themselves to the
traditional form of living as well as thinking. However, along with these two extremes, there
exists a large part of the world that not only is on the path of progress and modernization, but
also believes in holding on to their culture and traditions. The Chinese society for example, is
one of these types of societies where we can find a blend of modernization as well as traditional
values. Not only is China one of the leading countries due to its modern technology, but the
people of China are also simple and followers of traditional values and faith.
As far as compatibility of modernization and tradition is concerned, I believe that there can be
perfectly harmonious compatibility between the two. One need not choose only one of these, but
can adopt the best traits of both, without any conflict between the two. A person can be educated
as well as modest. It is possible to believe in modernization by supporting girl-education as well
as to believe in family values and togetherness. While modernization makes it possible to be
aware of your rights and duties, it is also possible to have faith in elders and abide by their
words. Having a broader outlook is a modern trait that can be adopted along with the traditional
principles, which ask a person to live in a joint family. However, modernization should not be
confused with westernization, which alienates us from our traditions. Once this is understood, it
will be easier to understand how tradition and modernization can co-exist.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 220
"Many people admire idealism, but it usually leads to disappointment or trouble."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 220
Idealism is a belief in perfect situation, life or society, which is very difficult to achieve. I agree
that many people admire idealism and build a dream world around them. However, when they
are met with reality, it might lead to disappointment and trouble when this desire is not fulfilled.
However, I also feel that it is this idealistic approach that is basic to many innovations and
advancements. Therefore, it should not be suppressed completely. On the other hand, it must be
nurtured and guided in a proper and planned manner to attain success as well as satisfaction.
Idealism encourages a person to divert away from reality. They live is a make-believe world that
is not practical in today's world. When such a person is faced with everyday difficulties and
problems, he is not able to solve these simple problems due to his idealistic approach. For
example, if a person dreams to possess great wealth. He cannot become rich overnight. It is only
through persistent efforts as well as some luck that he can attain that state. Similarly, if we think
of forming an ideal state within today's world which is free of any grievances, it would not be
possible with the existence of the poor, the uneducated and inefficient government. In such a
case where the desire is for the best but it is not achieved, it is bound to make a person
disappointed and disillusioned.
Idealistic ideas are difficult to maintain in today's world. If a person were a follower of Gandhi's
idealistic life, he would be a strong believer in non-violence and would only use home made
fabrics and goods. However, in today's world, it is difficult to remain away from the marketed
goods that either import the raw materials or finished goods. One cannot live on home made
khadi for a long time. Similarly, if a person is a staunch vegetarian and supports the ethical
treatment of animals, is it possible to maintain such a lifestyle? It has been seen that such people
make use of leather belts and shoes made of animal skin. There have been instances of popular
models against animal brutality posing for photographs while supporting costumes made of
animal fur. Either this suggests lack of knowledge or trouble in maintaining idealistic lifestyle.
However, idealistic views should not be shunned off completely. Instead of getting disappointed,
efforts should be made in order to reach the goals set through idealistic views. While it is the
need of the times to be realistic, it is idealism that gives impetus to further experiments,
discoveries and inventions. Therefore, it can be said that it is only when we dream of an ideal
situation that we make efforts to get closer to it. Instead of leaving idealism for hard reality, we
must in fact make our goals with the idealistic approach and try to reach them with realistic and
practical methods. Had there been no idealists to think about a machine which would allow long
distance communication, there would not have been telephones and satellite connections today.
Similarly, it is only when people desired to have a more comfortable and faster journey that cars,
trains and airplanes were made. Hence, idealism gives direction to the efforts done today in order
to reach to a better state and derive more satisfaction.
In the end I would like to sum up by saying that idealism can lead to disappointment when the
state of perfection is not reached. However, an ideal approach today leads to pragmatist concepts
in future. Therefore, instead of getting disappointed due to non-fulfillment of wishes, we must
make efforts to reach closer to these idealistic goals.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 221
"The most practical and effective way to protect wilderness areas is to attract more tourists to
these areas through environmentally sensitive projects."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 221
The flora and fauna, primarily in the forests and woods, are the natural resources that add to the
wealth of a nation. In the times of technological progress and cities of concrete, the wilderness
areas are depleting fast. Not only are some species of animals and birds becoming extinct, but
even their habitats are exploited so much so that they are on the brink of extinction. The
suggestions of attracting more tourists to these areas through environmentally sensitive projects
can prove to be effective, but there can be other alternatives too. These areas can even be
transformed into public utility places like parks or zoos. This will not only provide green and
open natural surroundings to the visitors, but also preserve unattended wastelands. Tree
plantation drive can be exercised by government institutions and schools to both preserve these
lands and give pleasant and healthy surroundings to all.
Awareness among locals should be created about the significance of these areas as the local
people can be instrumental in preserving the same. They should be warned against the ill consequences of cutting the woods. In case of wastelands, they should be trained in using these
lands to their benefits, thereby adding to the greenery in nature. Precautions against accidental
fires and steps to handle such mishaps should be discussed. They should be educated about soil
erosion, ill - effects of over grazing by cattle in areas deficient of plantation and the effect of
these on the climate should also be explained.
Besides, the wilderness areas could be left as they are, with deployment of forest guards against
poaching and cutting of trees. These areas can be converted into more suitable habitats for the
wild animals and can be slowly changed into wild life sanctuaries, without much disturbance to
the natural set up. Gradually, when the preservation of there areas is ensured, there could be
different modes of sustaining the initiative taken.
The power of media can be exploited to bring the attention to wilderness areas. This would
definitely attract a number of tourists. To ensure a positive feedback, arrangements should be
done such that they do not come in the way of the peace of the animals. The means of transport
should be eco-friendly, without much pollution and noise. Moreover, proper measures should be
taken for the safety of tourists as well. For this, along with guards, efficient local guides should
accompany the tourists. Along with this, more addition could be made, like more shady trees if
needed, regular check on water supply in case of contaminations in natural resources etc. should
be looked into.
Hence, there can be various ways of protecting the wilderness areas. Though, attracting tourists
to these areas by organizing environmentally sensitive projects can be quite effective, it is not the
only practical measure that can be adopted. The other alternatives suggested above, can also be
implemented for effective results. However, the awareness for reserving these areas can be
attained primarily by adopting environmentally sensitive projects.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 222
"Because of television and worldwide computer connections, people can now become familiar
with a great many places that they have never visited. As a result, tourism will soon become
obsolete."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 222
Computer and television are the gifts of technology which one can not do away with, in today's
time. Once considered to be luxury items and remotely affordable by the common man, these are
the most common household items today. They are sources of entertainment and knowledge.
Though they offer sights of beautiful places worldwide, it is wrong to hold the view that
computers and television will make tourism obsolete in near future. As a matter of fact, they help
in promoting tourism in different ways.
Both television and computer connections provide unlimited pictures and sights of beautiful
places. They give access to choice of destinations, means of transport and places for stay. When
these major issues are sorted out with these connections, then there are fewer apprehensions and
more chances of visiting distant places. Moreover, the different documentaries and advertisement
on internet and television are so well presented that almost everyone is tempted to go touring.
The temptation becomes hard to resist for those who can afford them. Besides, for others it
becomes a goal they earnestly want to accomplish. Lately, this factor has generated a whole new
wave of tourists from different parts of world. With a growing number of people willing to go on
tours to different places, media like television and internet have roped in the opportunity to make
it a grand affair. Just on a click of mouse or button of remote, one is catered to a long list of
places on the internet. Such good is the service that one can choose from locations of a city or
island to the available hotels. There is guidance for every aspect, be it the best season to travel,
most affordable season, cheapest to grandest hotels, various modes of travelling along with the
likely expense, variety of food, tradition and culture of people to the typical things one can shop
for. Such information adds charm to a visit to these places.
The familiarization with climate, food, hotels, availability of tourists guides and a clear picture of
time to be spent on sightseeing, automatically develops a comfort zone in travelling to these far
off places. In addition to this, through computer and television one gets to know and see the less
explored lands. The adventurous types can take out opportunity to satisfy their instincts. At
times, information of nearby scenic beauty worth a visit is also unraveled through internet. Such
options are specifically lucrative as they involve less expenditure.
Conclusively, media like computer and television add to the promotion of tourism. It would be
wrong to think that due to the beautiful and refreshing scenes available through them, tourism
will become outdated. The truth being just the opposite; television and computer are boosting
tourism and giving it an all time high by bringing the natural beauties and manmade marvels
from all corners of the world to the user right in his face.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 223
"High-speed electronic communications media, such as electronic mail and television, tend to
prevent meaningful and thoughtful communication."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 223
Media is a powerful source of information and communication. Among the various modes of
communication, high speed electronic mails and television are the most popular ones. They have
brought a sudden boom in the field of communication. In spite of some drawbacks attached to
these high speed electronic media, these cannot be done away with, because of their numerous
merits.
First, the speed of conveying a message has increased manifold when compared to the print
media. This has increased the speed of exchange of information, which results in saving of
precious time. For example, any message or declaration by politicians is directly conveyed to the
public in no time. In turn, the reaction to their policies and messages is sent with equal ease and
speed. It has also become quite convenient to collect an opinion poll among the public over a
certain issue on selection of favorite politician, sportsman, or entertainer. The general surveys to
be conducted for various study purposes have benefitted from fast and well connecting media
like electronic mails and television.
Second, these high speed media have added to the information received from all parts of the
world. There is a better connectivity of the nations among themselves because of awareness of
various happenings related to politics, economics, inventions, entertainment and even terrorism.
Along with the consciousness about latest developments, security alerts are also sensitized by
these news channels. Such exchange of information plays a significant role in taking up joint
measures against terrorist attacks as well other mishaps.
Third, in the busy world today where it has become difficult to meet the near and dear ones
regularly in person, electronic mails keep people in touch. The latest news through television
keeps one aware of the happenings and well being of relatives in far off places. Moreover,
intelligent and meaningful panel discussion or talk shows relayed on television not only add to
freedom of expression but also give a better insight of various topics and problems at hand.
Fourth, these media are definitely catering to the needs of fast paced world, as one can share a
piece of information simultaneously by many others through electronic mails, with an added
advantage of quick feedback. This has further led to other facilities like online working for
business or even availing public services like ticket booking, banking etc.
However, like any other technological advancement there are a few drawbacks attached to these
high speed communication media. The television does not give news with an option of choosing
or ignoring the details, unless one changes the channel itself. The usually repetitive and useless
news like reporting day to day activities of celebrities etc is again due to growing competition of
media to serve non stop. Similarly, unlike letters and phone conversation, electronic mails are
generally quite impersonal. Though, the lack of thoughtful communication here is to be blamed
on the users who have become ultra busy in their work schedules and not to these modes of
communication.
Thus, in the wake of the above discussion, it would be incorrect to say that high speed
communication media prevents meaningful communication.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 224
"The only responsibility of corporate executives, provided they stay within the law, is to make as
much money as possible for their companies."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 224
Companies which hire corporate executives at enormously large salaries and other incentives like
insurance, conveyance, accommodation etc. apart from some share of the annual profits, have
high expectation from their corporate executives. These corporate executives are supposed to
draw higher and higher profits for the company to justify the heavy packages received by them.
The primary goal to be achieved by corporate executives is therefore made clear by the perks and
facilities provided for them. They are employed to look into different aspects of sales of the
products and their return benefits. Irrespective of the nature of products manufactured, imported
or exported, corporate executives are there to give the maximum monetary benefits to their
respective companies.
As the norms and rules set by the government are to be followed, ways and means to draw the
maximum possible profits are to be devised without challenging the laws. The profits earned can
be termed as personal profits because it is for the company's growth and the promotion of
corporate executives involved. The better part here is the inevitable economic growth of the
nation, along with the more successful business deals of different corporate sectors. This in turn
improves the economic standard of all the citizens in general.
Thus, the corporate and their business are directly related to the growth of the national and the
global economy as well. Although, it is for personal benefit that the corporate executive works
for, they inescapably share the responsibility of improving the living standards of people by
providing job opportunities to them. Though, they may do business on their terms and
conditions, they need the consent of the government over various policies and issues. Since, they
utilize the resources and manpower of the nation; they ought to be responsible for the well being
of their employees, customers as well as the nation as a whole. Corporate executives draw
benefits of the contacts and policies formed by the government with other nations as well.
Therefore, it is the liability of the corporate sectors and its top brass executives to pay back to the
people of the country in turn of all the rights and authorities granted to them for the usage of
various resources of the nation.
Generally, no corporate sector is fully self-financed. It starts a new project from money invested
by people in the share market. The accountability of the corporate executives extends beyond
their primary target of making huge profits. They are the ones who need to look into the means
of sharing the profits among various investors. With them lies the responsibility of adopting the
best policies for their employees, by gathering information from every successfully running
industry. Corporate executives must come up with innovative ways of satisfying their customers
and built a lasting good will rapport with them. An efficient corporate executive takes up the
responsibility of lawfully bringing prosperity to his fellow men along with the prosperity of his
company.
Hence, apart from minting money, corporate executives share the obligation of providing good
service to all, thereby playing a significant role in the nation's progress.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 225
"Students should bring a certain skepticism to whatever they study. They should question what
they are taught instead of accepting it passively."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 225
Knowledge flows from a learned to a learner. A school or college is an educational institute
where teachers are the learned and students are the learners. Although, teaching and learning is a
two way process between a teacher and a student, it is the teacher with whom lies the
responsibility of imparting education.
Students are naive and ignorant about the ways and means of gaining knowledge. There are
endless topics and subjects completely new to them. It is not possible for them to choose and
decide what they need to study. Only the one, who are thorough with these topics, can decide
how to make them easy and interesting for the students at different levels. They are better at
selecting or rejecting a certain portion of the topics, depending on its relevance and importance.
For instance, in lower classes the learning of formulae in mathematics and science and rules of
grammar in languages may not be comprehended well by students. It is not easy to explain to
them the reasons for those rules, at such an early age. Even derivation of mathematical formulae
for young children will prove to be a waste of effort. To ease the burden of students, the
curriculum for different levels is framed by trained professionals. The difficulty level, the
selection of topics, division of lessons along with a link with previous and next standards is
looked after by the experts who frame the curriculum. Students who do not even have complete
knowledge of any topic are not at all in a position to make a decision.
Instead of being skeptic about the topics being taught, they should welcome all the new things
and clear their doubts wherever necessary. There are times when the queries of the students
cannot be answered due to time constraints or their inability to understand the real details. It is
quite natural that due to an overly inquisitive and restless mind, some students come up with
endless doubts and seek detailed explanation thereby distracting the whole class from the topic
being discussed. Manipulating or ignoring them gently will be beneficial in enhancing the
concentration on the topic and will also help in completing the syllabus on time. If for the sake of
satisfying the students, teachers do not draw a limit, then no topic will ever be completed and
understood fully. Therefore, along with the framed curriculum, it is the responsibility of the
experienced lot (teachers) to proceed in the interest of the ignorant students.
Moreover, encouraging a skeptic attitude in students would not only develop a negative attitude
in them, but also build arrogance and indiscipline in them. It may also promote a rebellious
nature on the slightest provocation due to their limited knowledge and emotional behavior. This
will harm studies and put teachers in an awkward position.
Although, at much higher levels of education, students may be given a right to question over
some issues, it cannot be generalized. Thus, students as learners should have faith in the system
and regard their teachers, as they have not earned the right to question the merits of either of
them.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 226
"Both parents and communities must be involved in the local schools. Education is too important
to leave solely to a group of professional educators."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 226
Learning begins at home. From the time a child is born, he learns from his environment
including his parents and the community he lives in. There is no denying the fact that a child's
behavior and knowledge are largely dependent on how his parents groom him at home. A child
picks up the language that is spoken by his parents and learns various other facts of life as he
constantly questions the people around him with whatever doubts he may have. How can then
one assume that the moment a child is sent to school, parents and communities should detach
themselves from his process of learning? It is essential that parents, communities and teachers
make a combined effort to impart maximum possible knowledge to school children.
Education systems around the world may or may not emphasize on assignments to be carried out
at home depending on the education system being followed in the countries. If a school child
gets assignments to be done at home, the parents might help him in completing the work.
However, if the education system that is being followed does not emphasize on home
assignments, should the parents not be bothered about what the child has done in school? Can the
responsibility of imparting education be left to the teachers alone? It is not necessary that the
child spends his entire day in school reading and writing. He may be spending a lot of time in
other co-curricular activities like sports and music. When is he supposed to review whatever has
been done in the class? Involvement of parents in the activities being carried out in the school
will benefit both the parents as well as the teachers in imparting high standards of education.
There may be instances when a child is an introvert and he does not raise questions or doubts in
the class. His questions will always remain unanswered if his parents do not take the initiative of
spending time with their child to clarify his queries. On the other hand, there may be a case
wherein the child is inattentive in class and is easily distracted by the happenings around him. It
is not necessary that a teacher will always be able to give undivided attention to such a child.
One cannot ignore the fact that in a classroom, a teacher has to give equal importance to all the
students in the class. The traits of a child are best known to his parents and the people who live
with him. Can the child's family choose to ignore his performance in school and blame the
teachers for failing to teach him properly? The parents will have to take extra pains to ensure that
their child is groomed and taught to be attentive in class. For this they may have to interact with
the teachers and choose the most appropriate method for educating the child. At the same time, it
is not necessary that all schools provide the best mode of instructions and good quality teaching
standards. The inputs from the parents of the school children will help the schools in modifying
their teaching methods to suit the children studying at their schools.
Education is too important an aspect of life to be handled carelessly. It will not be possible to
reverse time and go in the past to undo the errors made by neglecting the education of a child
when he was in school. We all have heard of the saying, 'A stitch in time saves nine.' Leaving the
education of a school going child at the discretion of his teachers may have serious repercussions
in the future. If the parents of the child and the people around him have not been showing an
interest in what he does at school, the child might be led astray and it might have an adverse
effect on his future career prospects. Therefore, it is necessary that all local schools involve the
opinions and contributions of parents in the process of imparting high quality education as it
cannot be provided by the teachers alone.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 227
"Contemporary society offers so many ways of learning that reading books is no longer very
important."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 227
It is true that the modern world now has various sources for imbibing knowledge and acquiring
information, but the importance of reading as the primary source of learning cannot be
questioned. The understanding of various facets of knowledge can be made easy only by books.
Books have long since been held as reliable media for storing authentic information. Television,
newspapers, internet and word of mouth do serve as alternate sources of learning, but as far as
the basic learning process is concerned, one has to resort to reading books. Therefore, the ways
of learning offered by contemporary society are quite useful but this does not mean that one can
ignore the importance of reading books as a part of the process of learning.
One of the most important aspects of learning is the ability to read and write. One must be able to
read whatever has been presented in a visual representation and one should have the capability to
write in order to understand the correct procedure for writing. A child starts the learning process
by reading books. Since time immemorial, mothers have been reading bedtime stories to their
children while putting them to sleep. Why is this practice followed by most educated parents
across the world? This is because it is a well known fact that a child learns by hearing sounds
and recognizing familiar shapes. This is how he understands language as well as the nuances of
reading. Can informative television channels replace books at this stage of learning?
Irrespective of how educative a kids channel might be, parents refrain from letting their children
be glued to the television the whole day long. The internet may be a vast reservoir of
information, but minors are barred from accessing the internet in some countries and even if
there is no such restriction in a particular country, parents seldom allow children to learn from
the internet. This is because apart from the learning aspect, the internet holds an enormous stock
of web content that may not be suitable for children. Moreover, one cannot refute the damaging
effects on eyes and neck by sitting on the computer for long hours and watching television
endlessly. On the other hand, no parent would ever stop his child from reading books even if he
is stuck to books for a major part of the day. Reading books has always been upheld as a very
useful hobby and parents try their level best to inculcate this habit into their children.
The most important aspect of information available on television and internet is the reliability of
the information. A web site may present you with information related to any aspect of science.
How can one ascertain the authenticity of the web content? It would be risky to learn the
concepts provided by a web site unless you are absolutely sure of the reliability of the
information being provided. Most of the television channels broadcast informative programs, but
would all these programs be providing information that is fundamentally correct?
On the contrary, books published by reputed writers have been used to provide education in the
past and they have all passed the test of time. They have been found to be useful and the
information provided by them has been accorded to be authentic. Therefore, it is always a better
option to gain as much knowledge as possible by reading books. The alternate methods for
learning that have been provided by contemporary society can be used as supplements for
enhancing your knowledge. However, it is necessary to build a knowledge base by reading books
first. Therefore, one cannot underestimate the importance of reading books in the process of
learning in any respect whatsoever.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 228
"Choice is an illusion. In reality, our lives are controlled by the society in which we live."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 228
Our behavior and lifestyle are largely determined by the society we live in. A person has to abide
by the norms laid down by the society in which he lives. Although one does have the liberty to
make choices with respect to certain aspects of life, the society has a significant influence on the
way we lead our lives. Therefore, it can be said that there are times when we can make choices
without being influenced by the society, but when seen in the larger perspective, our lives are
more or less controlled by the society we live in.
Early Man lived in groups in order to gain assistance while hunting for food and to protect him
not only from other groups of men but also from wild animals. These groups slowly evolved into
societies discriminated on the basis of religion or area of inhabitance. As time passed, the
societies formed norms that were required to be followed by the people who lived in those
societies. It has generally been seen that people who choose to revolt against the rules laid down
by society are either ostracized by the society or forced to alienate themselves from the society.
Therefore, people who wish to live in societies are forced to allow societies to control how they
lead their lives.
Live-in relationships are disapproved by most conservative societies. However, the modern
world today had led to a steady increase in the number of couples who do not consider it
necessary to be married before they enter into a live-in relationship. These couples may belong to
conservative societies too. The societies have failed in controlling how these couples choose to
live their lives. Therefore, this is one aspect of life where people are increasingly feeling free to
make their own choices. However, does this mean that these couples will be readily accepted by
the society when they try to intermingle with other married couples? There are bound to be
people who will raise eyebrows and there might be others who will not like to mix up with such
couples for fear of their children picking up wrong traits. There are societies which still do not
give recognition to children of unwed mothers. A woman may exercise her choice to give birth
to a child outside wedlock, but will the society accept such a child. The child may be subjected to
embarrassing moments by his peers and also by other people of the society as he grows up. It is
this fear of social ostracism that forces people to let society take control of their lives.
Society has deemed it necessary to be social and cordial in your relations with your neighbors.
Can you afford to go against these norms and listen to blaring music at midnight? Can you
choose to have daily altercations with your neighbors over some flimsy issues? There will come
a day when your neighbors will lodge a formal complaint against you which might lead to dire
consequences. At the same time, does the society give you the liberty to take the law into your
own hands? Irrespective of the harm someone has inflicted upon you, society requires you to
take the assistance of the law rather than punishing the other person yourself. No matter how
badly you might need money, society does not permit you to embezzle accounts, steal, forge or
resort to other unlawful means for acquiring money.
There are a certain set of choices like your choice of career, place of residence, personal likes
and dislikes, friend circles etc. which society permits you to make on your own. On the other
hand, there are certain rules that are laid down by society which determine how the people who
live in that particular society will lead their lives. These rules may either be unwritten rules or
they may be endorsed as the law of the country where you reside. You will have to abide by
these rules if you wish to be a part of that society. In view of the above, it is evident that our lives
are largely controlled by the societies that we live in.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 229
"There is no such thing as purely objective observation. All observation is subjective; it is always
guided by the observer's expectations or desires."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 229
An objective observation would be one that is not influenced by personal feelings and is
unbiased and unprejudiced. On the other hand, a subjective observation stems from the
individual characteristics of a person. His opinion and attitude play a major role in determining
the nature of the observations that will be made by him. As humans have always been known to
be swayed by their personal emotions and mood swings, it is highly unlikely that any form of
observation made by a person will be objective. In most of the cases, the observation made will
be subjective as the observation will be influenced by the observer's expectations and desires.
Whenever you see something, your personal opinion about the object being observed plays on
your mind before you are able to voice your observation. This personal opinion may depend on
your knowledge of the object being observed or your interest in the field to which the object
belongs. Someone who is detached from all forms of art may not be able to give any form of
observation on a painting made by a renowned painter. It is necessary that a person giving his
observation on the painting is aware of the nuances of painting and he has a deep understanding
of the object or concept being depicted by the painting. Depending on his in-depth knowledge of
painting as an art and his present state of mind, he will come up with an observation that is
purely subjective in nature. He may offer a critical opinion depending on his point of view which
is further dependent on what he likes or does not like in the painting. It is not necessary that his
observation will match those made by the other observers. This is because all observers would be
making their observations depending on their individual characteristics and therefore, all
observations are bound to be different because of the subjective evaluation that would be
involved.
Consider the observations made by scientists on a certain phenomenon. It is true that the
observations made on the phenomenon would be objective to an extent because of the technical
aspects related to the phenomenon, but the assumptions and other related observations will vary
depending on the individual traits and mindset of the scientists. Each of the scientists will assess
the phenomenon depending on their individual evaluation of the occurrence. This would affect
their observations to a great extent. This is the reason why there are conflicting views on the
same topic whenever a team is to give their observations on any object or occurrence.
The observations made with respect to a glass of water that is half-filled with water will be made
differently by different people. There are people who may classify the glass as half-empty
whereas others might regard it as half-filled. At the same time, people may react differently to
different situations depending on their assessment of the situation at hand. A school student may
appreciate watching cartoon channels on television, college going students may prefer music
channels, whereas adults may watch news channels more than any other programs being aired on
television. Therefore, the observations of these groups of people on different programs being
aired will vary depending on their personal expectations and desires. It would be difficult for a
parent to give an objective opinion on a cartoon channel as he would most likely be biased
against cartoon programs which are making more and more children get addicted to watching
television.
In conclusion, one can say that there can be no form of observation that is purely objective. All
observations are subjective as the desires and individual characteristics of the observers influence
the observations made by them.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 230
"The arts (music, dance, visual arts, etc.) are vitally important to students' education and should
therefore receive as much emphasis as mathematics, science, reading and other mainstream
subjects."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 230
It is true that knowledge about all fields of study should be provided to students for all round
development. However, the contention that arts subjects should be given as much importance as
other mainstream subjects may not be justifiable in several respects. There is no doubt that an
exceptionally talented child will definitely be supported by his parents if he wishes to pursue a
career in arts, however the mainstream subjects are far more essential for establishing your
career as you grow in life. Therefore, one can understand the need to educate children about arts,
but subjects related to arts cannot be accorded the same importance as that given to science,
mathematics and other mainstream subjects.
Music, dance and visual arts are an integral part of any educational curriculum. Most of us would
have attended music and dance classes at school, summer camps or hobby classes. Nevertheless,
not many people would seriously contemplate allowing their children to pick up one of these
subjects, which fall in the category of hobbies, to be taken up as a full fledged career. The
reasons are obvious. The most lucrative careers are the ones that fall in the realm of science,
mathematics and other mainstream subjects.
The mainstream subjects are necessary for gaining knowledge about the world we live in, our
body and its functions, calculations, history of our evolution etc. All these areas of study are
essential for making a person learned. Arts are related to interests that are inborn in people and
they do not serve to increase your worldly knowledge. An interest in arts and an aptitude for the
same does not come to all people naturally and neither can it be cultivated forcefully. One should
have an inherent desire to learn arts or else it would be a total waste of time to try and teach him
various aspects of arts. Students spend a specific time in school and it is more important to utilize
the available time in preparing them for their careers in the future. Therefore, reducing the time
spent in teaching mainstream subjects in order to create time for teaching arts is largely
unwarranted especially in light of the fact that such a study will not influence either the future of
a student or the knowledge that is necessary for doing well in his life.
The world of glamour and movies is related to the art of acting, music and dance to an extent;
however, the number of people who succeed in such a career is negligible as compared to the
number of people who ruin their lives trying to get a break in movies. The same holds true for all
other people who are pursuing careers elsewhere in painting, music or dance. There are only a
handful of people who succeed in making a mark and the rest are lost in the sea of oblivion and
because they did not have a mainstream subject in college, they will never be able to switch
careers also. Unless a child belongs to a family of renowned and professional dancers, actors,
musicians or painters, it is unlikely that his parents would be keen on letting him pursue a career
in arts.
As a career in arts is not given due importance by most people, there is no requirement of giving
arts as much significance as science and mathematics in the school curriculum. Moreover, one
needs to have an interest in arts in order to understand the aspects of studying related subjects.
There are numerous schools that have curriculums specifically designed for those students who
have the talent for understanding arts. Students who are keen on studying arts can always join
such schools and colleges. Therefore, there is no requirement of giving arts the same importance
as that which has been accorded to the science subjects and other mainstream subjects.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 231
"The human mind will always be superior to machines because machines are only tools of
human minds."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 231
If after God any living being has a power to create then that is a human being. Humans have
created miracles in all fields. Creation of machines is one such example. Machines were created
to help man in his day-to-day work. These machines are the results of human innovation and
they can never be superior to human mind. If a man has a power to make them he can even break
them. They are just the tools in the hands of humans and no matter how gigantic, accurate or
prompt these machineries are they can never outdo a human brain. If man would not have
created machines then these machines would not be in existence only. Therefore, I agree that
human mind will always be superior to machines because machines are only tools of human
minds."
The present day age is of computers and this machinery is one of the creations of mankind but
this machine can not work on its own. Although, it is more fast, prompt and accurate than a
human mind but it was made to do all such functions. Therefore, a computer is only a waste
piece of machinery until it is used by a human mind. Similarly, all the machines created by
humans are helping humans to perform their work but alone these machines are nothing. The
most important point of difference in humans and machinery is that humans have an ability to
think and analyze a situation which a machine can certainly not do. Humans have the ability to
act and solve various problems differently. Whereas a machine can simply solve a problem
which we give it to but it can certainly not apply logical thinking to it. Another point of
differentiation between humans and machines is emotions. We humans are blessed with
emotions and act in different situations accordingly but machines are deprived of this beautiful
gift of nature. A human mind it far more creative than a computer that is why it's able to create
vast number of machines.
We humans have created these machines but in certain aspects these machines are superior to us.
Can we ever think of reaching any far off place without the help of any transport? Again a
computer is made by man but the functions it performs for us can never be performed by a
genius also. Machines have also got the accuracy of performing the same task several times
which is impossible for humans.
Machines have become an indispensable part of our lives and our day-to-day life would be very
difficult without their presence. The capability of a human to create better and better things has
proved its superiority over machines. Therefore, humans are certainly far superior to machines
not because these were created by humans but because humans even have the ability to destroy
them. These machines are lifeless and put in use only by humans and without humans they are a
total waste.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 232
"The most essential quality of an effective leader is the ability to remain consistently committed
to particular principles and objectives. Any leader who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts
in popular opinion will accomplish little."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 232
The most important characteristic for a leader is that he should be consistent in his thinking. That
thinking can be in any field be it decision making, policy making or even his principles and
objectives. If a leader is not consistent in his own thinking then how can he ever think about
other's well being? It is very important for a leader to be sure and consistent in whatever he does
because if he quickly gets influenced by others' decisions then he can never make a stand for
himself. Leaders are looked upon as a source of inspiration and if they are not principled then
they would not be able to run the social system for us. Therefore, it is essential for an effective
leader to remain consistently committed to particular principles and objectives as the leader who
is quickly influenced by shifts in popular opinion will not accomplish anything.
We have the example of great Gandhi who had a clear vision in his mind from the very
beginning. He wanted to make India free from the clutches of British rule. His principles of nonviolence were deep rooted in his thoughts. Everyone discouraged him thinking how he could
ever get his country free from East India Company but his belief was not shattered and he got
India free from British. The leaders with clear vision can not only achieve their aim but also
inspire others to follow their path. Gandhi is an ideal for many people and Indian history is
incomplete without his description. Similarly, German Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler is another
example. He also had his set objectives and principles and he has made a niche for himself in
history.
Although it is very important for a leader to be firm with his principles and objectives but that
certainly does not mean that he becomes fanatic. If a situation so demands then he should be
ready to stake his principles. That does not mean that he should leave them forever. Man makes
principles and principles do not make a man therefore, it is very important that principles should
be flexible. Sometimes experiences or suggestions of others should also be given importance
because every principle is not applicable everywhere. At certain times even leaders can make a
wrong decision and to avoid such circumstances they should allow people to put across their
views. Having flexibility in ones principles does not mean changing or abandoning the
principles. Too much dependence on principles can also make a leader accomplish little because
rigidity also makes a person less progressive. It is very important that the leader's objectives and
principles are integrated in the correct direction.
Therefore, it is important for a leader to be clear in his vision about his principles and objectives
as then only will he be able to do justice to his work. At the same time a leader should not be
forgetting the importance of suggestions from others.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 233
"In this age of intensive media coverage, it is no longer possible for a society to regard any
woman or man as a hero. The reputation of anyone who is subjected to media scrutiny will
eventually be diminished."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 233
Every person has an ideal in his or her life and we all make endeavors to be like them. Most of us
have leaders or actors as our ideals. In this present age of satellite communication it has become
possible for us to know about the life styles of our ideals. We are aware of everything related to
their lives rather we feel that they have become a part of our lives. This all has become possible
because of media and we are able to see our ideals in happiness and in grief. I believe that in this
age of wide media coverage it is possible for us to be well aware about our celebrities and
because of media coverage only we are able to know them better. Although their reputation is
subjected to media scrutiny but these personalities are more known to common people and more
people regard them as their hero.
It was very difficult for people to get to know about their heroes when media was not introduced.
This technological innovation has revolutionized the social structure. People can follow their
heroes all the time. These people are heroes because we have made them so and without our
support they would not be as famous as they are. Media scrutiny does not affect those social
figures who are indeed heroes in their respective fields. Mahatma Gandhi was one such example
as all his acts were scrutinized by media but he was such an able man that it did not affect him at
all. Gandhi not only got independence for India but also made a place in the hearts of people
which will keep him alive in their deeds. He set an example that non-violence can achieve great
results and till date people follow his principles. There were rumors of Gandhi having rifts with
his son but that did not diminish his image. He was a human being after all and like every father
and son they also had their arguments, which certainly do not make Gandhi a bad man. In the
same manner the actors and leaders are also looked up to by people as their heroes and if they
commit some mistake that certainly do not make them bad human beings.
Although, it would not be correct on our part to regard our heroes as good or bad only based on
media scrutiny but this is certainly happening these days. It is entirely up to the media how to
portray a situation and if an incident in a celebrity's life is portrayed in a wrong way then that can
prove to be fatal for that celebrity's fan following. Princess Diana was one such example. She
was literally worshipped by her fans and one incident of wrong media coverage shattered her
image.
Media coverage does plays an important role in making or breaking a person's image but it is
very difficult to misguide public these days. Public also understands that media is either
exaggerating or showing wrong image of popular personalities. At the same time if the media
scrutiny is justified then certainly the true picture should come in front of public.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 234
"One often hears about the need for individuals to take responsibility for their own lives.
However, the conditions in which people find themselves have been largely established long
before people become aware of them. Thus, the concept of personal responsibility is much more
complicated and unrealistic than is often assumed."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 234
There is a very famous saying that God helps those who help themselves. It is certainly very true
in our lives. It is only our responsibility to take control the happenings in our lives. We can not
blame anybody for mishaps in our lives. God has made all of us capable of sustaining ourselves
and if we fail in our endeavors then we only are to be blamed and nobody else. We are the ones
who make circumstances good or bad, in favor or against our own destiny. It is our ignorance
about a stance that makes us vulnerable to a fault. I believe that individuals should take the
responsibility of their own lives as this would not only simplify but also make their life more
realistic.
A man himself is the maker of his destiny. It is believed that we all get not only what we strive
for but also what we deserve. If a person is insulting another person how can he ever imagine the
other person to be nice to him. We get in return what we give to others. If we give love and
respect then we would surely get love and respect in return but at the same time negative feelings
instigate negative feelings only. A student flunking in his exams can not simply blame a teacher
for his failure. The student failed because his efforts were not in accordance with the need. It is
often very easy to blame others for our failures but to take the sole responsibility of our own
faults is indeed a courageous act. Most of the times we do not come to know that we have put
ourselves in difficult situations and those who know about it come out victorious. A business
man fails in the market not only because other competitors are better but because he is not able to
prove his worth over them.
Although it is entirely upon us how we shape up our future but at certain times it becomes
impossible for us to tackle situations which arise out of uncertainty. A farmer who has grown a
crop in the field with his hard work and dedication fails when there is sudden outburst of rain.
No matter how hard we try but some times if destiny has something else in store for us then we
would get what is in our destiny, in spite our endeavor to achieve something else. Similarly if we
are traveling in a car and driving it with utmost care but if a driver from the other end is
negligent and causes an accident then we suffer because of somebody else's fault. Therefore, at
times our responsibility is not on us but somebody else too.
Therefore, we should make all the possible efforts to take our own responsibility but at the same
time we can certainly not undermine the role of other people in shaping our destiny.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 235
"Most people live, whether physically or morally, in a very restricted circle. They make use of a
very limited portion of the resources available to them until they face a great problem or crisis."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 235
In our present scenario people have become very much socially active. People like to interact
with their neighbors, colleagues, friends and family members. Gone are the days when people
were apprehensive in talking to people. We are living in a social structure which is very active
and we have broadened our viewpoints. We all are aware of our rights and duties towards our
society and we are not hesitant to perform those either. I believe we are living in a very flexible
society which is ready to accommodate everyone in it. We all are aware of resources available to
us and we all do make use of them. We have become aware and hence we are not apprehensive
to utilize our physical or moral resources available to us.
There were times when women from Muslim community would always remain in veils and they
were not even allowed to talk to men other than their husbands. The present scenario has
changed and now Muslim women have not only shunned their fanatic beliefs but they are also
excelling in various fields. We have an example of famous tennis star Sania Mirza. It certainly
does not mean that they have gone against their religion but they are utilizing the resources
which are available to them. We all are citizens of a nation and every citizen has equal rights and
nobody can be deprived of any right in the name of religion. There were times when due to caste
system people were ready to kill each other but in the present day world we are not only
accepting people from different castes and creed in our society but also giving them same
opportunities.
Although, it is good to make use of resources available to us but we should not be forgetting that
at times it is important to abide by some restricted values of the society. No matter how much we
excel in our respective fields but we can certainly not stop respecting our elders. Again if a
religion bans the consumption of certain food or drink then it would be wise to accept to an
extent it is possible. It is not possible for us to shed our old values and beliefs. The Parsi
community in India is still following it age old values and cultural beliefs. If they would have
forgotten and left their beliefs then there would not have been enough Parsis in the country. At
times we need to accept others as they are and we should not try to change or amend them.
Therefore, it is important that we live in a flexible society and make the best possible use of
the resources available to us. At the same time we should not stake our principles and
values for it. We are the free citizens of a country and it is in our hands what we want.
Thus, we should exercise the right of making the best possible use of our resources and not
only in crisis should we put them to use.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 236
"Sometimes imagination is a more valuable asset than experience. People who lack experience
are free to imagine what is possible and thus can approach a task without constraints of
established habits and attitudes."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 236
Experience is valued in every field and imagination is a valuable asset to endeavor a fresh
approach towards things. Experience warns against actions that are likely to prove disastrous. It
inculcates the tact of handling difficult situations along with taking success and failure in one's
stride. The significance of experience is confirmed when one applies for a job in any field.
Experience of work is always preferred, as it proves to be a bonus to the organization.
Imagination on the other hand, helps to develop a fresh outlook for every issue. The freshness
and novelty of ideas fills the person with such great amount of zeal that it is most likely to spread
around and affect the associates too.
If experience makes one better with each passing day, it may limit the ability to break past
established attitudes. For example, if being indifferent to the personal problems of his employees
had helped someone to get the work done on time, a change in attitude may develop more
healthy relations with the employees, resulting in more loyalty and quality work. However, such
an attitude would be difficult to develop in a person who has not realized the need of such a
change in his long work experience, or in someone who has had the experience of being taken
for granted by his juniors in the past.
Similarly, an individual as a salaried employee may have had made unsuccessful attempts to start
his own business. Though, it could be due to his personal limitations or some unfavorable
circumstances prevailing in the market, his experience would always come in between the desire
to start afresh. On the other hand, his inexperienced kids, with novel imagination would be
undeterred and in a better position to achieve the same goals. In such a case, it is definitely better
to be inexperienced and sustain zeal to fulfill one's fancies and imaginations.
There goes a famous saying, "If you can dream it, you can do it." Imaginations are production of
mind which run wild, and knows no limits. If imaginations are not influenced by the social or
economic constraints, there are a number of ways of tackling the present problems. Not to
mention, inventions have always been a production of an imaginative mind. People, who do not
let their imaginations get imprisoned in well known and set patterns, are the ones who have the
aptitude to invent something new and implement novel ideas.
There is no doubt in the truth that experience is counted upon in every aspect of life, but at times
it leads to inhibition in trying something risky. Though, experience can help in playing safe, it is
risk that must be taken to endeavor into a new venture. The ones who are not set back by failures
and preconceived notions are the ones who trail new paths for others to follow.
Hence, experience and imagination, both hold their respective significance in achieving success
in different aspects of life. Experience of past can be instrumental in strengthening the positives,
if it does not hold one back from trying out new ideas based on imagination. In other words,
though a rare combination, experience and imagination together would be an ideal pair to
achieve success.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 237
"In any given field, the leading voices come from people who are motivated not by conviction
but by the desire to present opinions and ideas that differ from those held by the majority."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 237
In a crowd of beautiful women, all dressed in white, an ordinary looking woman in black would
be noticed more. Just as we picture this, obvious reasons for such an observation strike the mind;
people with some difference as compared to the majority, catch more attention. It is always easy
for them to make a mark and get easy recognition of their work.
To succeed in any field, there are a number of qualities that may help. Conviction and desire to
present ideas in an unconventional manner are two such traits. Conviction in oneself and in the
job at hand definitely develops positivity. It makes one's job easier to be carried out. Negative
influences are restricted by the mere faith and confidence in oneself or the job undertaken.
However, a person with distinct outlook towards problems and their solutions finds it easy to
carve a niche for himself. The common man is common because of his conventional views. The
ones who think beyond the set norms and patterns are more likely to get easy rejection or
applause. Such men are either alienated from the society or made leaders for the rest to follow.
People who have different ideas and opinions are like free souls and do not limit their vision.
They generally become the leading voices in their fields because of a natural desire to express
themselves. Moreover, conviction comes naturally to people who express their thoughts
differently. It is novelty of their thoughts that motivates them further to stand up for a cause.
They have the inherent talent of visualizing things in a distinct perspective. Such people look
beyond commonly assumed constraints.
Novelty of imagination and ideas finds one way or the other to express itself. People with such
traits cannot be held back by force of any nature. For instance, during elections for a post, why
do so many men vote for a selected few? In most of the cases, it is because of the candidate's
ideas that convince others to do so. If there is nothing unusual in the person, why would others
find him interesting enough to be even heard? It is primarily due to the new and different
approach that fetches recognition along with followers in some cases.
A person will definitely attract listeners if he has something different to say, irrespective of the
strengths and weaknesses of his arguments. He will definitely be heard and remembered for long.
It is the unconventionality of things that takes over the regular ones. Since, 'change is the only
constant thing', everyone wants to experiment something new. For instance, in an era of musical
movies, it is a horror or science fiction that easily gets noticed and begins a new rage in movies.
Hence, the leading voices in any field are the ones which have a desire to represent opinions and
ideas that are different from the majority. Expression of unconventional views helps in gaining
more attention, though conviction helps in sustaining the gained attention.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 238
"Over the past century, the most significant contribution of technology has been to make people's
lives more comfortable."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 238
Technology is the other name for scientific developments. In the present day, there is hardly any
aspect of our life which is untouched by the latest technological developments. So much so, that
we can attribute our day to day life's comfort to technology. Man's evolution from an ape to the
present day human being has been a long story, but the very transformation from Stone Age to
computer age depicts his zeal to progress, unlike the other animal species. Therefore, it was quite
evident since ages that we craved for more new things, more comfort, more inventions and hence
more development.
Since the past century, we have got so much used to the comforts provided by the ever
developing technology that it seems impossible to imagine a life without these comforts.
Whether it is in the field of health and medicine or entertainment, the latest developments have
their marks everywhere.
Food, clothing and shelter, which once were the basic necessities, are almost taken for granted
today. From these elementary comforts, we have become much used to the luxury of fuel and
electricity. Electricity is the most common comfort one seeks after getting an accommodation.
Supplementing these comforts are coolers and air conditioners. In the field of entertainment,
jumping tracks from transistors to cassette players to television to computers to i-pods, we want
it all. The convenience, comfort and joy of using these gadgets are such that we do not even
realize how they transformed from luxury to necessity.
For instance, telephones were believed to be a luxury affordable by only a selected few,
especially when letters could serve the purpose. Today, their latest versions i.e. cell phones have
marked a permanent place in every individual's life. Only something better may replace it, owing
to the easy accessibility and connectivity it provides.
In terms of accessibility, the roles of computers and internet connections have been unmatched,
so far. With a click of a mouse, one can get an entire encyclopedia related to any field. Apart
from speedy calculations and marveling memory, the latest information and a variety of options
to choose from are available. Be it an affordable holiday vacation, a suitable job vacancy, a
suitable matrimonial alliance, career counseling, electronic tuitions, online banking, online
booking of tickets, online jobs or exams and their results, computers cater to all the day to day
needs.
Equivalently, transport used to be for the simple comfort of travelling. Gradually, buses were
replaced by more number of individualistic cars, simple cars by SUVs and more luxurious cars,
boats by steamers, steamers by ships and ships by luxurious yachts. The purpose served remains
the same; commuting from one place to another. Thus, other than the development in speed
factors, all the transformations have been made by keeping the comfort factor in mind.
Though, there have been innumerous developments in other fields like exploring details of the
solar system, different planets, life cycles of various organisms, astrology etc, which are not
directly related to the comfort of common men, it would not be incorrect to state that most
significant contribution of technology in the past century had been to provide comfortable life to
people.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 239
"It is impossible for an effective political leader to tell the truth all the time. Complete honesty is
not a useful virtue for a politician."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 239
An unfortunate reality in today's context is that the ideologies of most politicians are largely
influenced by the impact that they are likely to have on their vote banks. Therefore, one often
sees that the politicians make statements that are synonymous with what the public would like to
hear. At the same time, it has been seen time and again that exposing the truth may often have
worse consequences than hiding the same truth. On the other hand, one cannot deny the
existence of corruption that is rampant amongst politicians because of their inclination to
camouflage the truth. Although politicians do have a tendency to hide the truth, sometimes this
action tends to be favorable for the general population of the country. Hence, it is true that
complete honesty is not a useful virtue for a politician and that sometimes hiding the truth may
be favorable for the country as a whole.
Most people feel that the authenticity of the statements being made by the politicians are
questionable because they may have been made keeping in mind the effect they would have in
garnering more support for the party irrespective of whether the party is in power or it is the
opposition party. However, there are times when it is extremely difficult for the political
leadership of a country to stick to the truth.
A compelling example of such a scenario is the statement made by the political leadership of a
country related to its security issues. The security status of a country might be higher than what
meets the eye. The political leadership has to maintain a discrete silence over all such issues and
if required they have to resort to being untruthful when it comes to declaring their assets. A
country may be capable of developing nuclear weapons, but their leadership would always deny
it publicly or else the world would impose sanctions on the country. The politicians may feel the
requirement of developing nuclear weapons because other countries, especially the ones that they
are likely to go to war with, are nuclear capable. The nuclear weapons would have been
developed only with the intention of self defense, but still it would be in the interests of the
nation if the political leadership of the country chooses to avoid complete honesty when it comes
to making statements about their nuclear capabilities.
Take the example of a country like India that boasts of diversity in religion, language and caste.
The politicians of such a country may have to face innumerable problems when it comes to
making statements whenever there is widespread discontent amongst the general public because
of these diversities. The political leadership will have to give due consideration to what is best
for the country before making a public statement either in favor of or against one of the agitating
groups. In most cases, the political leadership makes a statement that will least affect the
sentiments of either group. This statement may have been arrived at by contorting the truth, but
the end result would be favorable for the country and so complete honesty would not be a useful
virtue for a politician in such a scenario.
It is true that corruption has time and again been related to politics as politicians have resorted to
avoiding the truth for their personal gains also. This is an aspect of active politics that comes
with power. There are politicians who may like to utilize their position of power for their
personal benefits. Barring such cases, it can be said that being completely truthful may not be a
useful virtue for a politician especially when the peace, prosperity and progress of a nation are at
stake.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 240
"Critical judgment of work in any given field has little value unless it comes from someone who
is an expert in that field."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 240
Can a television channel appoint a professional doctor as the judge for one of its reality shows
that is based on a salsa dance competition? The answer is obvious. There is no way that the
doctor will be able to ascertain the winner of the competition unless he himself is aware of the
nuances of salsa dancing. The modern world consists of numerous self-proclaimed critics who
judge work in any given field irrespective of their own knowledge in that field. Such judgment is
utterly useless, unless the person making the judgment is an expert in the field to which the work
being judged belongs.
If you browse the internet for reviews of the latest released movies, you will find numerous web
sites where common people have posted reviews of the movie. Do we give importance to the
comments posted on such blogs? We probably do not give much importance to what these
people say about a particular movie as such observations are largely personal opinions and they
may have to do nothing with the actual value of the movie. However, we give due credence to
the opinion of a renowned film critic who may appear on a television program that is based on
film reviews. The observations made by the film critic may change our perspective on the movie
much before we have actually seen it. Why do we have this difference in accepting the views
presented by random bloggers and those presented by well-known film critics? The reason
behind this difference in acceptance of judgment from different types of people is that we attach
a higher value to the judgment passed by people who are proficient in the same field.
If a person has to select suitable furniture for home dcor that falls within his financial budget,
where would he look for sound advice? Would he just ask his friends randomly, or would he
rather ask an acquaintance who is a furniture designer himself? This designer would be able to
give him an idea about how much the furniture should ideally cost and he would also be aware of
the names of commonly known furniture dealers and the amount they charge for the furniture
marketed by them. People who have no idea about furniture designs, quality of furniture and the
costs involved will not be able to point out the pros and cons of the furniture being selected by
this person. They will only go by the external appearance of the furniture and their judgment will
probably not have any value. Contrast this with a person who is a seasoned furniture expert. He
would be able to identify the type of wood used, its durability, termite resistance and other
related aspects which have to be considered before buying the furniture. His judgment would
hold much more value as he will be able to identity the actual worth of the furniture with respect
to its cost.
The same holds true for critical judgment in all fields whether they are related to the sciences or
to arts. The judgment for the best school science project can be done only by the science teachers
of the school. On the other hand, the same science teachers will not be able to pass valued
judgment in a painting competition. They may be able to judge a painting by its face value, but
the types of colors and brushes that should have ideally been used can be judged only by the
painting teachers as they are experts in that particular field. Hence, it is obvious that you need to
be an expert in a particular field to be able to pass valued judgment on work pertaining to that
field.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 241
"Those who treat politics and morality as though they were separate realms fail to understand
either the one or the other."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 241
One needs to first understand the meaning of politics and morality before judging whether they
fall in separate realms or not. Politics is the set of rules or norms that are followed for running an
establishment or a country. The society that we live in determines the standard code of conduct
which is defined as morality and people tend to follow these norms if they wish to demonstrate a
high moral code of conduct. Therefore, morality refers to the set of rules that determine our
personal behavior. A careful understanding of the meaning of politics and morality makes it
evident that each of these does affect the other. Therefore, if you choose to segregate morality
and politics in different realms without letting either of them affect the other, then you will not
be able to understand either of them.
Righteous conduct is defined by the norms of morality that have been set for us either by
ourselves or by the society in which we live. If one chooses to keep morality away from the
realm of politics, then it is evident that the decisions that have been taken in the realm of politics
will probably not be correct and will lead to large scale discontent amongst the masses. The
norms of morality have to be kept in mind while dealing with political issues because the
population that is being governed by politics will appreciate the efforts of their leaders only if the
leaders choose to stick to the moral values upheld by society.
Take for instance, the candidates who are fighting elections for a seat of power. The moral values
held dear by the candidates will largely determine the votes that will fall in their favor. This is
because the public knows that a person who is righteous will rarely take a political decision that
will have adverse effects on the lives of common men. Moreover, there are certain moral values
like compassion for the poor, an honest disposition, goodwill etc. which are desired in political
leaders. A leader who displays such qualities will not take a hasty decision like going to war with
a neighboring country and risking the lives of thousands of his countrymen. On the other hand, a
leader who does not give due importance to moral values will not think twice before taking such
a decision or before taking any other decision that may harm the interests of his countrymen. He
will probably be more concerned about his own interests rather than the interests of the people
who have elected him.
Money makes the world go around and politicians are no different. A politician in a seat of
power may easily be lured into accepting bribes in exchange for taking decisions that harm the
common man. This would not have been possible if the politician clearly understood the
meaning of morality and its implications on the decisions taken in the realm of politics. One
cannot choose to have high moral values when it comes to his family and decide to ignore the
same moral values when he has to take political decisions. For instance, if one respects the elders
in his family, he cannot choose to show disrespect for the elders in the society being governed by
politics. This would imply that he has not understood the meaning of either morality or politics,
both of which are essential for smooth functioning of the establishment or the body of people
being governed by politics.
What is conscience? Our conscience is the aspect of our personality that determines how we
behave in a particular situation. You need to have high moral values of honesty and integrity to
fight against all forms of corruption irrespective of the monetary gains involved. This high level
of moral values needs to be preserved even if you are in the political realm because then only can
one be termed as a real leader. Hence, it is evident that one needs to accept the fact that politics
and morality do not fall under different realms if he has to make decisions and choices that will
spread goodwill and prosperity in the society.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 242
"The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists,
but the general welfare of all its people."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 242
How is a nation classified as great? Does this classification depend on the achievements of the
rulers, scientists and artists that the nation has produced or does it depend on the satisfaction and
happiness of the citizens of the nation? It is evident that a nation cannot be termed as a great
nation if there is widespread discontent amongst its citizens no matter how successful the nation
has been in producing illustrious rulers, scientists and artists. Therefore, the general welfare of
the people of a nation is definitely an indicator of the greatness of a nation.
A nation marches ahead on the path to progress with support from the contributions made by its
people. The citizens need to be employed, literate, healthy, satisfied and happy in order to assist
the nation on its way to progress. A nation plagued by poverty, famine, slow economic growth,
unemployment will have to deal with several related problems that will make it difficult for the
nation to progress and to be known as a great nation.
People who are below the poverty line will resort to unscrupulous means to make money.
Unemployed youth can easily be lured into carrying out criminal activities because of the
probability of high monetary gains. Corruption would be rampant and we all know the effect that
corruption has on the well-being and progress of a nation. Living in the country would no longer
be safe either for the citizens or for the tourists visiting the country. The nation may boast of
several well-known scientists, artists and rulers, but will the achievements of these people help in
improving the image of the nation in the eyes of the world? The answer to this question would be
a definite, "No". People judge the greatness of a nation by the living conditions of the nation and
the greatness of some of its citizens makes little or no contribution to the greatness of the nation.
Breakthroughs in the world of science and technology made by the scientists of a nation cannot
do much for the well-being of the nation unless the technology is made use of for improving the
living conditions of the citizens of the nation. For instance, if a team of scientists from a
developing country makes a path breaking discovery in the field of generation of power, the
nation can progress ahead only if the technology is applied for generation of power within the
nation. The team of scientists may move to another developed nation for further research work or
the nation may not have the necessary funds to implement the newly discovered technology for
the betterment of its citizens. In either of the cases, the scientists would not be able to contribute
anything towards the progress of their nation.
A nation is determined by its people. If the people are looked after well by their leaders and their
welfare is always kept in mind whenever major political decisions are taken, then it is evident
that the nation will progress on the path which leads to greatness. This is because the well-being
of a nation is directly related to the well-being and welfare of its people who constitute the
nation. The greatness of a nation cannot be determined by a handful of people who have gained
popularity and fame because of their achievements in the field of science and technology or
politics.
GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 243
"People who pursue their own intellectual interests for purely personal reasons are more likely to
benefit the rest of the world than are people who try to act for the public good."
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample
Solution - 243
It is true to an extent that people who are in pursuit of their individual interests for personal
reasons are likely to benefit the world. Nevertheless, the contribution made by the people who
work for the public good cannot be undermined. Both these categories of people are responsible
for carrying out deeds from which the rest of the world can benefit irrespective of whether the
actions carried out by them were for personal or public reasons. However, it is not necessary that
the people who pursue their interests for personal reasons stand to do more for the rest of the
world as compared to the ones who keep public good in mind while carrying out their actions.
History is replete with examples of scientists and researchers who worked for the betterment of
mankind. At the same time, there are those researchers who worked in isolation for personal
reasons, but their discoveries helped in benefiting the rest of the world in a major way. Bill Gates
may not have kept the notion of public good in mind when he started his work, but the end result
of his commitment to pursuing his interests was that the entire world benefited from the results
of his work. Explorers like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magallen travelled across the
seas in pursuit of their individual interests. They wanted to see what lay at the other corner of the
world. The results of their travels were that the entire world came to know about the people who
lived in another part of the planet. Scientists like Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein spent their
lives in pursuit of their individual interests. These scientists probably would not have thought of
the magnitude of the effect that their discoveries will have on the lifestyle and knowledge of the
people in the rest of the world, but the truth is that their research resulted in discoveries that
changed the face of humankind for good.
Mahatma Gandhi was a follower of non-violence and all his actions were committed towards the
betterment of the society he lived in, whether it was in South Africa or in India. All his actions
were carried out for the good of the people and he ultimately succeeded in freeing India from the
clutches of an imperialistic power and he also succeeded in initiating a movement against racism
in South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi's principles and actions benefitted the people around him
because he placed the welfare of the public much above his own interests. Another example is
that of Jawaharlal Nehru who was born with the proverbial 'silver spoon in his mouth', yet he
chose to place the interests of the public much above the pursuit of his own individual interests
thereby leading the country on the path to progress as the first Prime Minister of independent
India.
There may be a sizeable number of people who pursue their interests with the selfish motive of
personal gains with total disregard to the harm it might bring to the public. Such people can go to
any extent in order to make their lives more comfortable even at the cost of making the lives of
people around them miserable and uncomfortable. In view of the above, it can be concluded that
although people who follow their own interests in life may succeed in benefitting the others, it is
not necessary that the actions of such people will benefit the public more than the actions of
people who have always acted for the benefit of the public.